Byzantine Belt Mount with Animal

Piriform body decorated with concentric circles alternated to round patterns, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 545 grams, 12.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

With a heavy hollow-formed hoop, three pellets to each shoulder; raised square bezel set with emerald framed with pelletted border, four applied loops to the outer edge holding decorative gold wire with seed pearls. 6.70 grams, 27.95 mm overall, 16.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)



Ex New York, USA, private collection in the early 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12105-214336.

With flared shoulders and octagonal plaque, incuse bird with wings spread in a naive linear style. 2.74 grams, 21.40 mm overall, 18.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.