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LOT 1141
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
CIRCA 10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (12.26 grams, 49 mm).
Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi with a small cross above the head to reverse.
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 with Saints
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi with a cross above to reverse. 19.1 grams, 52 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Byzantine Terracotta Tile with NYCIOY
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Rectangular in plan with raised lip enclosing scene with standing female figure in ankle-length robe, legend 'ΝΥCΙΟΥ' (for νησιού 'belonging to Nisios'). 28.3 grams, 45 mm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, two circumferential bands on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 378 grams, 10.3 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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.
