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LOT 1141
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bust
CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (8.28 grams, 27.08 mm overall, 19.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)).
With lateral spurs to the hoop at the shoulders, round bezel with faux beaded wire collar, intaglio facing bust. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceGerman collection before 2000.
Collection of Mr D.H. formed in UK, from the EU art market.
Ex property of a Surrey gentleman.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 348, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
D-section hoop with oval bezel bearing a stylised eagle with its wings open. 3.66 grams, 21.55 mm overall, 19.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
Circa 900-1200 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Enkolpion with hinged suspension bar, each face with nimbate robed figure in orans pose with four busts surrounding. 49 grams, 94 mm
Ex DRG Coins and Antiquities, Bishops Stortford, Essex, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a handwritten ticket. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Biconical in profile with pointillé and linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 544 grams, 13 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'.
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.
