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LOT 0208
Byzantine Bronze Marriage Ring Depicting Two Facing Portraits
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (3.60 grams, 24.13 mm overall, 21.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)).
With a facetted hoop, a rectangular bezel, and opposed profile busts (male and female).
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, London, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0208
Byzantine Bronze Marriage Ring Depicting Two Facing Portraits
Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
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Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp with Cross
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform body with raised rim around the filler hole and tapering nozzle, low-relief linear slashes to the shoulder, and low basal ring. 32.3 grams, 79 mm
From a collection of lamps of a late Scottish gentleman, 1970-1990s. -
Byzantine Bronze Buckle with Decorative Plate
8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Buckle plate with rectangular body and hinged loop, broad tongue; reserved profile figure of a peacock enmeshed with tendrils and globe 19.60 grams, 83 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Ovoid in profile with a domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 349 grams, 88 mm
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.
