Byzantine Bronze Buckle Plate with Lion of Saint Mark

Comprising a piriform body with low-relief linear and ring-and-dot decoration, a tall handle with a forked finial at the rear, and a low basal ring. 62.6 grams, 10.6 cm



From the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s.

Hollow-formed plaque with lobed outer edge, scooped sides and notched band at the inner edge; openwork circle and crescent motifs; with the remains of the original leather strap. 38.15 grams, 42 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous, undecorated body with flat base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 10.4 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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.