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LOT 1291
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (6.20 grams, 25.12 mm overall, 17.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)).
D-section hoop with raised circular bezel showing a stylised walking bird with four stars on the field. [No Reserve]
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 Silver Ring with Bust
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Featuring a D-section hoop with a palm frond on both shoulders, oval bezel with a piecrust edge and pelletted border, central profile bust of a robed and bearded man flanked by palm fronds. 7.45 grams, 22.59 mm overall, 18.57 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Piriform body with raised rim around the filler hole and rounded nozzle, raised frond decoration to the shoulder, and a basal ring. 46.6 grams, 76 mm
From a collection of lamps of a late Scottish gentleman, 1970-1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Bulbous, undecorated body with flat base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 10.4 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.
