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LOT 0926
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (15.7 grams, 57 mm).
Comprising two hinged plates with articulated loop above; obverse with an incised figure of Corpus Christi with inscription 'IC XC' beneath his arms.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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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): £130
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; circumferential concentric lines to the shoulder and beneath the neck enclosing bands of radiating lines; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 1.16 kg, 16.5 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Floral Gold Applique
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Formed as three-tiered flower with filigree wire framing the petals, applied pellet to the centre. 0.69 grams, 10 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Decoration Set
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,990
Group of tongue-shaped harness plates, rosette and other studs and three-armed distributors. 236 grams total, 0.6-10.9 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12689-234700. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.