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LOT 0937
Byzantine Bronze Marriage Ring with Facing Busts
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (4.23 grams, 26.13 mm overall, 21.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)).
Comprising a flat-section hoop and raised rectangular bezel, intaglio motif of two facing busts.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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Byzantine Seal Matrix with Inscription
Circa 6th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 280 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
With inscription '+ΘKEB / OΘTO / ΔΟΛΟ / ΤΘΛΑ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΛ ΤΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΛΑΔΕ' (Mother of God, help Lades, the servant of God). 13.1 grams, 18 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
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. -
Byzantine Rock Crystal Pendant with Cross and Christ Riding a Donkey
11th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Biconvex in section with ribbed suspension loop; obverse with profile figure of Mary on a donkey with infant Jesus in her arms; reverse with voided Maltese cross. 11.7 grams, 34 mm
Ex Michael Denis O’Hara in the 1970s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12402-225432.