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LOT 0756
Byzantine Bronze Buckle Plate with Christ and Saints
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (13.5 grams, 40 mm).
Comprising tongue-shaped plaque with three low-relief busts within scrollwork; two pierced lugs on the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a 1990s collection.
Property of an Essex gentleman.
Cf. Baldini Lippolis, I., L’oreficeria nell’Impero di Costantinopoli fra il IV e il VII secolo (Goldsmithing in the Empire of Constantinople between the 4th and 7th centuries), Bari, 1999, figs.17-19, p.231, for parallels.
FootnotesThe type belongs to the group of buckles with internal clipeus, according to Baldini-Lippolis. The ‘clipei’ of the belt buckles with figurative motifs show a rather summary rendering of the subjects, which were mainly created by impressing and engraving. Our buckle has a notable parallel with a similar specimen from Baltimore, with a bust of Christ on the clipeus.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, decorated with two circumferential bands of circlets; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 351 grams, 96 mm
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. -
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Byzantine Liturgical Bronze Bowl with Figures
11th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £10,000 - 14,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,000
With sloping walls and a thin everted rim, the interior of the vessel engraved with a scene comprising four nimbate Evangelists around a central figure of beardless Christ, each holding a gospel in the right hand, the left hand raised to make the sign of blessing; the four Evangelists each depicted beneath an arch with a Corinthian column flanking, the body of the column decorated with fish-scale motifs. 418 grams, 29.2 cm
Fine condition.
Private German collection since the 1980s. Acquired on the German art market in 2001. Property of a gentleman. 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.10940-181731.
This vessel belongs to a well-known type of rich liturgical objects, likely produced in the workshops of the Imperial capital, Constantinople, although the style used to present Christ and the Evangelists in this artwork points to an important provincial craftsman, certainly influenced by Islamic and Persian iconography. Patens and chalices were the essential containers for the bread and wine of the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) in Byzantium. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird in Profile
6th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
With an expanding D-section hoop, oval bezel with a stylised stocky bird. 5.52 grams, 21.45 mm overall, 16.15 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.
