Byzantine Bronze 'in favour for health' Inscribed Ring

Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 662 grams, 15.5 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.

With carinated profile to the bowl and flared foot, carinated rim above segmented band to inner face, rosette and central tondo with sgraffito perching bird in profile. 410 grams, 17 cm wide



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Architectural border fragment with carved ledge and D-section rim with carved running guilloche motifs in high relief. 1.28 kg, 17.5 cm



Assembled by family members in the mid 20th century. From a private West Sussex, UK, family collection.