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LOT 0812
Byzantine Age Gold Filigree Pendant
12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (6.79 grams, 28 mm).
Composed of a hollow tongue-shaped body with four suspension loops to the top, bifacial ornament in the form of twisted filigree, applied bulbs and pellets. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired UK market.
Ian Roper collection.
Cf. Adams, N., Intelligible Beauty: Recent Research on Byzantine Jewellery, London, 2010, pp.203-211, for comparable examples and discussion.
FootnotesLikely a temple pendant, believed to have been hung near the temple or cheek, suspended from the wearer's headdress. The hollow interior likely concealed a piece of perfumed cloth.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Of piriform shape, with raised inverted tear-shaped bulbs over the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 824 grams, 15.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Byzantine Gold Filigree Pendant
10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
The suspension loop with beaded border; finely granulated star pattern; raised rib highlighted with beads of gold to the centre; the lower body of the pendant decorated with filigree triangles, a trail of lines leading to a central gold boss, each segment with a small bead of gold. 1.74 grams, 15 mm
Acquired in the 1970s. From an important London, UK, collection. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Griffin
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Discoid bezel with incuse rampant griffin. 3.54 grams, 21.36 mm overall, 16.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.
