Byzantine Bronze Earring with Glass Gem

With a collar and a knop finial on each arm and an integral suspension loop. 8.45 grams, 43 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Piriform body with pointed base and domed mouth, stamped linear decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 505 grams, 11.9 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.

Discoid bezel with three lines of enigmatic Greek text 'KE[.]E / ΦυΛA / -+-'; with old collector's ticket 'van Phocas'. 3.51 grams, 23.60 mm overall, 20.04 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



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