Byzantine Bread Stamp Group

A rectangular marble floor panel recalling similar workmanship to the floor of the Sistine Chapel, comprising a large central panel with a chequerboard design of alternating geometric floral motifs with speckled porphyry squares, surrounded by seven green and porphyry roundels, each with a bicolour border composed of interlocking triangles and lozenges; each corner with an L-shaped panel displaying a unique geometric design composed of alternating square, lozenge-shaped and small rectangular tiles. 57 kg, 80cm



French gallery, Paris, 1990s. From a family collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11586-199348.

The Cosmatesque Style was a characteristic type of ornamentation of Eastern Roman origin (opus alexandrinum) used by the post-Roman marble makers of the 12th and 13th centuries A.D. It embellishes floors, ciboriums and cloisters of churches by means of polychrome marble inlays of varied and imaginative geometric shapes. The wider use of this decoration began in the 12th century, at which time techniques were improved: the Cosmati floors were made with pieces of stone cut in various shapes and sizes, a property quite different from the mosaics in opus tessellatum, in which the motifs were made from small units all having the same size and shape, or from the opus sectile, intended to create representations with pieces of multi-coloured marble cut out and arranged for this purpose. The stones used by Cosmati artists were often material salvaged from the ruins of ancient Roman buildings. The composition of such mosaics recalls the floors of the most important churches of Rome; in addition to the floor of the Sistine Chapel (created probably in the 14th century for the previous building or Cappella Maggiore), one can cite that of Santa Maria Maggiore (1145-1153 A.D.), San Giovanni in Laterano (14th century A.D.), Saint Clement (1099-1120 A.D.), Santi Quattro Coronati (13th century A.D.), Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (12th century A.D.) and many others.

A gilt strap distributor with crescentic motif adorned with foliage in relief, pierced foliate panel to centre. 20.4 grams, 31 mm



UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

A ceramic vessel with a piriform body and eccentrically placed domed mouth, indented line above foot; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 620 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. 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.