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LOT 1106
Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/8 in. (376 grams, 13.7 cm).
Comprising: a squat body and large nozzle with shallow socketed rim, hinged lid to filler-hole with striped pattern, handle formed with lobed cross and loop to rear, annular foot.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Gökalp, Z.D., ‘Some examples of Byzantine bronze lamps in Turkish Museums’ in Actes du 1er Congres International d’etudes sur le Luminaire Antique (Nyon-Geneve, 29.IX-4.X.2003), Monographies Instrumentum 31, (2005), pp.69-71, fig.7, pl.30.
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LOT 1106
Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp
Estimate £600 - 800€700 - 930 (for guidance only)$810 - 1,080 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Comprising: a squat body, large circular nozzle with shallow socket, hinged domed lid with regardant hare, the handle formed from his pricked ears, two long tendril handles with perching bird detailing, splayed foot; square-section socket to base for mounting on a lamp stand. 693 grams, 19 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, impressed vertical line decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 725 grams, 15.5 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'.
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 Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Wide hoop with starburst motifs on the shoulders, discoid bezel with stylised eagle with open wings. 4.29 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 20.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.