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LOT 0939
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
7TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (3.72 grams, 33 mm).
Expanding arms and five punched ring-and-dot motifs to the obverse, possibly symbolising the 'Five Wounds of Christ'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Lead Cross
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Flat-section cruciform mount with stub arms and attachment point at one end; high-relief saltires, hoops and other detailing. 357 grams, 21.5 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Terracotta Storage Jar
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With tapering sidewall and rounded base, coil-built with ridged surfaces. 3.92 kg, 32.5 cm
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform in profile with domed mouth; the lower body decorated with striated almond-shaped motifs, a band of rectangles divided with lines above; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.03 kg, 16.5 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.
