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LOT 0215
Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Chain and Chi Rho
CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
15 3/4 in. (1.08 kg, 40 cm).
With a carinated, round body and long, narrow nozzle with a flaring finial, a scalloped rim around the circular wick hole; small circular filling hole with a hinged, domed lid; the elaborate trumpet-shaped handle with a hexagonal lotus flower finial with knops, and a raised Chi Rho at the forward edge; looped suspension chain with a hook, and a square socket at the base to accommodate a stand pricket.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Stortford, England, 1982.
with Christie's, New York, 9 June 2011, no.203.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13194-250130.
Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 4th March 2026-7th June 2026; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.
LiteratureCf. similar specimens in Morigi Govi, Vitali, D. (eds.), Il Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna, Imola, 1982, p.209; Dalton, O.M., A guide to the Early Christian and Byzantine Antiquities, London, 1903, p.20, fig.15; Bailey, D.M., A catalogue of the lamps in the British Museum, IV, Lamps of metal and stone, and lampstands, London, 1996, no.Q3834; for the general shape see Vermeule, C.C., Comstock, M.B., Sculpture in stone and bronze, Boston, 1988, no.113.
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LOT 0215
Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp with Chain and Chi Rho
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000€4,640 - 6,960 (for guidance only)$5,400 - 8,100 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform body with circumferential bands and impressed motifs on the shoulder and wide neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 562 grams, 10.3 cm
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. -
Byzantine Square Green Glass Flask
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £81
With dimple to the underside, squat square body and wide everted rim. 34.7 grams, 49 mm
From an important London collection of glass, 1990s. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Hatched Design
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
D-section hoop with a raised boss at the base, large oval bezel with hatched decoration. 10.88 grams, 23.12 mm overall, 19.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Acquired Town Hall Antiques, Market Place, Woburn, Bedfordshire, UK, on 5th June 1998. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by the original Town Hall Antiques invoice.
