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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. -
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. -
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp with Cross and Birds
Holy Land, circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Large lamp with high pointed body, a partial knob handle and a small filling hole outlined by a ridge; another ridge extending toward the wick-hole, creating a 'channel' decorated with a line; rim divided into two bands, the outer one filled with tondo with birds, the inner one decorated with a stylised cross and geometric pattern on the nozzle. 142 grams, 10 cm
From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.
This type of lamp is a precursor of the early Islamic channel-nozzle lamp, which has a tongue handle. The small knob handle indicates an earlier date, while the channel implies a later date. The lamp, in correspondence with similar lamps found in Israel, can be dated to the 6th-7th century A.D., belonging to the eastern Roman culture or even to the early Islamic period.
