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LOT 1102
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (8.27 grams, 52 mm).
Expanding arm cross with a low-relief Maltese cross at the centre. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Enkolpion plate with pierced lugs; obverse with low-relief nimbate robed figure in orans pose with teardrop motifs surrounding. 13.8 grams, 52 mm
Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a handwritten ticket. -
Byzantine Gold Openwork Beads
12th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £650 - 850 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £325
Each a spherical cage with ropework texturing, granule at each node; oval glass bead within. 13.8 grams, 22 mm each
Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1998. Private collection, Europe. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, vertical raised lugs dividing the body into four fields each with pointillé herringbone patterns; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 646 grams, 14.5 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'.
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.