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LOT 0956
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Hand of God
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (1.34 grams, 18.66 mm overall, 15.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)).
Integral ellipsoid plaque with incuse hand motif. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Inscribed Bronze Bell for St Blaise
8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Domed high-tin bronze with pierced lug suspension and thickened rim; incised Greek inscription to the shoulder 'ΟΑΓΗΟCΒΛΑCHOC' (Hagios Blasios). 35.6 grams, 46 mm
Acquired in the 1980s. From the collection of a London antiquarian.
The name is normally anglicised as 'St Blaise', an early bishop who was martyred in 316 AD in Sebaste, Armenia. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 662 grams, 15.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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 Bronze Artefact Group
6th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Comprising: front cover of an enkolpion with robed figure in orans pose, legend 'ΓΕΟΡΓΙΟC' (St. George) above; censer cover with openwork design, expanding-arm cross within an arc with ring-and-dot motifs, poppy-head lugs, suspension loop. 188 grams total, 84-95 mm
From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.