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LOT 1122
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (11.69 grams, 51 mm).
Enkolpion with spurs to the angles of the four arms, central low-relief ring to each face; hinged suspension loop with ribbing. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Pendant Cross
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Enkolpion with hinged barrel-shaped loop; incised nimbate figure to each face in orans pose within a decorative border. 109 grams, 12.5 cm
Ex DRG Coins and Antiquities, Bishops Stortford, Essex, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a handwritten dealer's ticket. -
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Plate from an enkolpion with a low relief nimbate figure in orans pose. 19.9 grams, 70 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Biconical in profile with pointillé and linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 544 grams, 13 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.
