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LOT 1120
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/4 in. (32.5 grams, 70 mm).
Enkolpion reliquary cross with hinge and suspension ring above; obverse with incised nimbate Jesus in stavrosis position, dressed in hatched garment; reverse with Mother of God in orans pose flanked by fronds. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK.
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.
Cf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaries Pectorales Byzantines en Bronze, Paris, 2006, item 125, for type.
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:
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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 domed mouth, raised bands dividing the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 606 grams, 12.7 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 Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £202
Cruciform with integral loop; obverse with low-relief Corpus Christi in stavrosis pose with radiating strokes. 9.65 grams, 47 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 Enamelled Brooch with Bird
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
The outer ring linked by six radiating ellipsoid spokes to a central hub, pin-lug, pin and catch to the reverse; the outer ring with median band of enamel, similar to each of the spokes; the hub with enamel-filled bird motif on a plain, enamelled field. 9.73 grams, 35 mm
Acquired before 1978. Private collection, UK.
