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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]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Figural Intaglio Gemstone
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Oval-shaped with intaglio motif of a standing robed figure facing left, inscription to the right. 0.70 grams, 14 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, band of rosettes within circles to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 260 grams, 92 mm
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. -
Byzantine Bronze Epigraphic Rings
6th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising: one with segmented bezel, incised legend 'HXA / IIC'; one with ellipsoid plaque, incised legend 'EYTY / XWC', shank partly absent. 2.03 grams total, 18 mm each
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
