Byzantine Bronze Mason's Plumb Bob

Comprising: a squat lamp with short nozzle, raised scrolls surrounding the hole, raised four-petalled flower motif surrounding the filler hole with raised bosses, the base with concentric circles and a maker's mark; a slipper-shaped lamp with sharply raised linear decoration and Greek inscription on the upper body. 173 grams total, 9.2-10.4 cm



with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; a circumferential band of alternating leaf and zig-zag motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 735 grams, 11 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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 low-relief Corpus Christi on the obverse; integral suspension loop. 4.85 grams, 39 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.