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LOT 1012
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Inscription
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (5.54 grams, 22.94 mm overall, 19.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
Broad hoop with incised geometric ornament. bezel with pelleted border, Greek inscription 'ΟΗΑΗ/ΚΕR'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
Piriform amuletic pendant with manus dei 'hand of God' motif to the side and wreath to the underside enclosing a cross flanked by 'AΩ'. 5 grams, 20 mm
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, band of tightly arranged teardrop motifs above a zig-zag line to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 432 grams, 10.8 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 'Mother of God, help!' Bezel Inlay
Circa 6th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With inscription 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΘ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΘEI' (Mother of God, help!). 0.84 grams, 14 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.