Byzantine Bronze Earring with Glass Gem

Cruciform pendant with slighty expanding arms, punched annulet decoration on both sides. 5.81 grams, 40 mm



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

Comprising a thick rectangular-section hoop and two overlapping discoid bezels, the upper one with a depiction of the Nativity. 6.74 grams, 23.33 mm overall, 1.85 x 13.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Bulbous body with a domed mouth, a circumferential band on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 374 grams, 11 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.