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LOT 0980
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (2.74 grams, 21.40 mm overall, 18.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)).
With flared shoulders and octagonal plaque, incuse bird with wings spread in a naive linear style. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex gentleman.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 492.
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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Piriform body with bands of impressed tongue-shaped motifs, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 611 grams, 14.3 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
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With sturdy loop to reverse, reserved text 'O / ITΛΠΥ / Υ'. 88 grams, 70 mm
Acquired in London in 2011. European private collection. -
Byzantine Bronze Trade Weight Collection
Circa 6th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Mixed group of square trade weights of various typessome with pointillé or stamped detailing. 38.6 grams total, 8-17 mm
Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
