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LOT 1443
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Figure
CIRCA 11TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (3.66 grams, 25.29 mm overall, 19.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)).
With scaphoid bezel, low-relief standing nimbate figure with wings spread laterally. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 479, for an earlier example of the type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1443
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Figure
Estimate £60 - 80€70 - 93 (for guidance only)$81 - 108 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) ‡+BP*
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Heavy Byzantine Gold Marriage Ring with Christ and Facing Couple
Circa 7th century A.D.Estimate: £7,000 - 9,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,500
Substantial hoop and applied quatrefoil bezel, incuse design comprising nimbate facing bust of Christ above a cross potent between male and female profile busts and flanked by kneeling winged and nimbate angels, legend 'VΓIA' (hygia 'good health') beneath. 22.45 grams, 27.95 mm overall, 18.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13415-259785.
The ring belongs to the category of Eastern Roman rings featuring a polygonal band and an applied bezel, a type particularly common in the 7th century A.D., especially for marriage rings. It shows the conventional depiction of the bride and groom blessed by God. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £70 - 90 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, incised concentric circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 752 grams, 12.8 cm
Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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. -
Byzantine Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
With narrow triangular flange and three raised bosses to the hoop. 6.10 grams, 34.93 mm overall, 24.32 x 24.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+5, USA 14 3/4, Europe 35.08, Japan 33)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
