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LOT 1009
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/7 in. (50 grams, 87 mm).
Articulated enkolpion with loop; low-relief robed figure to reverse in orans pose with legend above 'HC+C' (abbreviation for Jesus Christ); obverse with ropework and herringbone ornament, five round cells to accept jewels or other inserts.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 258, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Segmented Strap
10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising five hinged sections, each with three central bosses with pelletted collars, further pellets to the field; possibly from a belt. 61.7 grams, 15 cm
UK private collection. Acquired from York Antiques Centre, in 2001. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, three rows of impressed ring-and-dot motifs to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 11.4 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 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the body with wavy lines; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 441 grams, 11.5 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.
