Loading, please wait...
LOT 1142
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (13.8 grams, 52 mm).
Enkolpion plate with pierced lugs; obverse with low-relief nimbate robed figure in orans pose with teardrop motifs surrounding. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK.
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.
Accompanied by a handwritten ticket.
Cf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines En Bronze, France, 2006, fig.45.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Byzantine Silver Ring with Dove
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Slender hoop supporting a rectangular bezel with a standing dove. 2.25 grams, 21.60 mm overall, 19.02 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Mount
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Cruciform in plan and D-shaped in section with incised lines across the vertical arms, one T-shaped finial remaining; attachment lugs to reverse. 12.5 grams, 34 mm
Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with incised linear decoration to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 401 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'.
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.
