Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant

Ovoid in profile with incised linear decoration to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 401 grams, 11 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'.

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.

Enkolpion reliquary cross with hinge and suspension ring above; obverse with incised nimbate Jesus in stavrosis position, dressed in hatched garment; reverse with Mother of God in orans pose flanked by fronds. 32.5 grams, 70 mm



Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Featuring a low-relief corpus christi and integral suspension loop. 6.72 grams, 47 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.