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LOT 0928
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (6.23 grams, 22.66 mm overall, 19.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
Flat-section hoop and a large discoid bezel with a stylised bird, possibly a dove, with its wings spread. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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Byzantine Rock Crystal Pendant
Circa 8th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Biconvex crystal bead mounted on a gold rod with bulb below, hinged bale above; obverse with intaglio nimbate bust of Christ, reverse with nimbate bust of Mary. 18.87 grams, 50 mm
Acquired from a London, UK, gallery, 1980s. From a North American gentleman's collection, 1980-1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12692-235761. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Silver Merchant's Ring with Monogram
7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Ellipsoid bezel with monogram formed from 'N,A,Ω' and other letters with cross pommee to the side. 6.38 grams, 25.30 mm overall, 19.99 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
Ex Mr A. collection, Florida, USA. Private collection, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth, a band of impressed ring-in-circle motifs to the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 865 grams, 18 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.