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LOT 0973
Byzantine Bronze Pendant with Angel and Inscription
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (7.9 grams, 39 mm).
Claw-shaped with cross and angel motif to the obverse; an inscription reading '+O KAT...Y' to the reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s.
From a gentleman's private collection.
Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 585, for identical object.
FootnotesWhile one side is engraved with an angel with a cross-staff, the other side is engraved with the beginning of Psalm 91 (90): + Ο ΚΑΤΟΙΚΟΝ ΕΝ ΒΟΗΘΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΥΨΙϹΤΟΙ…(He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High…).
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AUCTIONS:
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Opening Bid: £75
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Piriform body with gusset to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.6 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 Bronze Epigraphic Ring
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
With ellipsoid bezel, incised Greek inscription with some of the letter inversed, reading 'ΧζΒΟ ΗϽΙΤΡ βOΥΛΟ'. 1.81 grams, 19.87 mm overall, 17.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The meaning of the inscription is not clear, although it may be prophylactic, with the letter Chi (Χ) linked with the rho (P) i.e. XP for ‘Christ’ and the other letters referring to the usual expression βΟYTICΗ (protect) βOΥΛIΟ (Doulo? ), therefore intended to be read ‘Christ protect your servant’. The ring was probably engraved by a foreigner with a very limited understanding of Greek.
