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LOT 1136
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/4 in. (19.9 grams, 70 mm).
Plate from an enkolpion with a low relief nimbate figure in orans pose. [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 Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
Circa 9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Enkolpion with hinged and ribbed loop; low-relief nimbate figure wearing a loincloth to obverse; robed figure to reverse. 21.9 grams, 55 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 identification ticket. -
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, vertical raised lugs dividing the body into four fields each with pointillé herringbone patterns; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 646 grams, 14.5 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 Gold Ring with Head of Christ Gemstone
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £4,500 - 6,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,250
Round-section hoop with granules to the shoulders, discoid bezel with inset lapis lazuli circle enclosing a later amethyst gemstone with facing bust of Christ Pantocrator. 10.36 grams, 25.80 mm overall, 20.26 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 19, Japan 18).
Ex collection of a London lady, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12968-246371.