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LOT 1100
Byzantine Bronze and Silver Cross Pendant Group
7TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (9.65 grams total, 22-31 mm).
Comprising three expanding-arm cross pendants with integral suspension loops, two with ring-and-dot decoration, likely representing the five wounds of Christ. [3]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
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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Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
Circa 9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Enkolpion with hinged and ribbed loop; low-relief nimbate figure to obverse with 'ICXC NHKA' legend beneath the arms; robed figure in orans pose to reverse with 'MPΦV' legend above. 61.8 grams, 98 mm
Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket. -
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Byzantine Gold Openwork Architectural Ring
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Comprising a broad hoop with repoussé scrolled vine tendrils, beaded borders; pyramidal bezel with empty discoid cell flanked by granules and with a beaded wire rim. 4.48 grams, 32.81 mm overall, 17.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)
British private collection, before 1981. Acquired in 2003. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, impressed line and dot decoration on the upper body, raised bosses and impressed lattice to the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 567 grams, 14 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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.
