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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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Byzantine Silver Belt Mount and Strap End Set
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £53
Including heart-shaped appliqués with attachment studs to reverse, finial with notched band and kidney-shaped end. 31.81 grams, 25-45 mm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Pectoral Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A large expanding arm cross with a central raised boss, each arm with an incised concentric ring motif with four ring-and-dot motifs surrounding a central recess, possibly to accept an inlay; further ring-and-dot motifs on the body. 50 grams, 89 mm
Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Piriform in profile with a domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 375 grams, 10.6 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.
