Byzantine Bronze Figural Intaglio Gemstone

Disc with repoussé pellets to the border, facing nimbate figure of Christ with 'IC XP' legend flanking the head. 2.41 grams, 40 mm



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

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, four lugs to the shoulder, body decorated with four vertical bands of lozenges flanked by annulets, a horizonal band of tightly arranged lozenges above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 486 grams, 13.8 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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.

Capsule-shaped with openwork filigree ornament to the equator, a single granule to each terminal and a coiled wire suspension loop to apex. 0.82 grams, 15 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.