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LOT 0923
Byzantine Bronze Buckle-Plate with Combat Scene
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (19.1 grams, 49 mm).
Tongue-shaped in plan with knop finial and three pierced lugs to the reverse; raised rim enclosing a scene with advancing gladiator and a lion(?) preparing to attack.
ProvenanceEx London and Home Counties gentleman, R.W., 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 445, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0923
Byzantine Bronze Buckle-Plate with Combat Scene
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
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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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