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LOT 0994
Byzantine Bronze Cross Group
10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 - 1 1/2 in. (15.88 grams total, 29-37 mm).
Comprising: a cross bottony with integral loop; a plain flat-section cross with curved loop; a flat-section cross with incised lines to each arm and a central x-motif; a cross with bud finial to each arm with rosette motif. [4]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Plaque with Bird Inlay
Circa 10th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Sub-rectangular in form with raised rectangular panel to centre, cells forming X-motif inlaid with red glass(?) against a blue field, central nacre(?) roundel engraved with a perched bird with polychrome enamelled detailing; trace remains of gilding to upper and side edges; piercing to each corner. 20.6 grams, 38 mm
Acquired in London, early 1980s. Purchased in Europe before 1992. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11811-206495.
The small square plaque was possibly part of the decoration of an Evangeliary, such as the enamels covering the binding of Henry II's Perikopenbuch, or the Siena Evangeliary (11th-13th century). Byzantium brought the enamel and cloisonné technique to its most perfect, refined and skilful expression. Between the 10th and 11th centuries it spreads its forms in the East and West and after some infiltration in the Romanesque-Lombard sphere, precious Eastern Roman cloisonnes were found in Russian art, reaching their apex in the Roman Empire during the 10th-12th centuries, in the decoration of icons and other artworks. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, band of rosettes within circles to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 260 grams, 92 mm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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. -
Byzantine Gilt Bronze Decorated Buckle
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Comprising: buckle loop with dentilled outer edge, impressed triangular cells; D-section tongue curved over the forward edge of the loop, with rectangular shield to the rear with slot; plate formed as a vesica-shaped rear panel with rosette motif and billetted border, forward edge with cells flanking; knop finial to rear edge; obverse with three pierced lugs for attachment to the belt; ferrous hinge-pin. 56 grams, 80 mm
Private UK collection. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.
