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LOT 0793
Byzantine Bronze Bread Stamp Group
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (40.8 grams total, 38 mm each).
Comprising: one sub-rectangular in form with Greek capital letters (Mi, Iota, Iota, Tau and Tau, Iota, Eta) in raised relief, suspension lug to reverse; a leaf-shaped stamp with lugs to the perimeter and three raised letters to the centre, suspension lug to reverse. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Cf. for similar letters, a stamp published by Dalton, O.M., Catalogue of Early Christian Antiquities and Objects from the Christian East in the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography of the British Museum, London, 1901, no.491.
FootnotesThe larger bronze stamps are generally known in the relevant literature as bread stamps. These were used on the bread consecrated during the Holy Liturgy and then given to the believers as the Body of Christ during the Holy Communion, as well as to the bread which was given as a present at the end of the Liturgy, as 'Blessed bread' or Antidoron. Similar seals are still used today in the Orthodox Church.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0793
Byzantine Bronze Bread Stamp Group
Estimate £120 - 170€140 - 200 (for guidance only)$160 - 230 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Stone Cross Mould
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Rectangular in plan with central recessed Christian cross, small recessed cross within a square to centre, pouring channel above; circular recess to each corner; soapstone. 163 grams, 67 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1960s-1980s. Ex Hertfordshire, UK collector. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
Byzantine Bronze Bread Stamp Group
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £67
Comprising: one sub-rectangular in form with Greek capital letters (Mi, Iota, Iota, Tau and Tau, Iota, Eta) in raised relief, suspension lug to reverse; a leaf-shaped stamp with lugs to the perimeter and three raised letters to the centre, suspension lug to reverse. 40.8 grams total, 38 mm each
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The larger bronze stamps are generally known in the relevant literature as bread stamps. These were used on the bread consecrated during the Holy Liturgy and then given to the believers as the Body of Christ during the Holy Communion, as well as to the bread which was given as a present at the end of the Liturgy, as 'Blessed bread' or Antidoron. Similar seals are still used today in the Orthodox Church. -
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Of piriform shape with a band of stamped roundels to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick and used as a hand grenade. 664 grams, 11.6 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.
