Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1022
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.00 grams, 19.48 mm overall, 16.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)).
Slender hoop expanding to an oval bezel with hatched border, intaglio motif of a stylised water bird facing right. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Private collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
VETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Byzantine Bronze Cross Brooch
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Formed as an expanding-arm cross pommy with lower arm developing two lateral loops with shallow recesses, ring-and-dot motifs; pin-lugs and catch to reverse. 20.1 grams, 65 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with Sapphire
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,972
Flat-section hoop displaying geometric pierced work between raised bands, fluted hemispherical bezel adorned with granules and set with possibly a later polished cabochon sapphire. 8.66 grams, 33.78 mm overall, 16.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 13)
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.201084. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, radiating lines surrounding the filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 416 grams, 10.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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.
