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LOT 1062
Byzantine Bronze Pendant Cross
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (4.43 grams, 44 mm).
Expanding-arm type with integral loop and low-relief Maltese cross at the centre. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Ovoid in profile with incised dot decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 912 grams, 15 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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 Saints
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising a D-section hoop and a hexagonal bezel with two stylised figures flanking a cross. 5.33 grams, 25.53 mm overall, 21.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The bronze ring is compactly worked from a single bar. The ring link, hemispherical in section, broadens at the top, where the ring bezel was hammered. The decoration inscribed in the hexagon shows in the upper field a military saint, surrounded by lines running parallel to the hexagon, which form a further decorative element. The bezel of these rings was decorated with stylised images, very often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing. They are usually represented as one or two human figures, schematically depicted, inscribed in a circle, decorating the bezel. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Dove
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With slender hoop and baluster to each shoulder, ellipsoid bezel with incuse perching bird motif. 5.12 grams, 25.42 mm overall, 21.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
