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LOT 0958
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Letter Cross
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (3.32 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 19.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
Comprising a flat-section hoop and discoid bezel with a cruciform inscription containing the words ΦωC ('light') vertically and ZωH ('Life') horizontally, laurel wreath surrounding.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The inscription refers to Jesus Christ being the light, and the life.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Terracotta Mount
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A thick discoid mount with a central low-relief figure of a beast facing back, crosses and annulets on the field. 79 grams, 56 mm
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; impressed annulets surrounding the neck, two wide circumferential bands of hatching to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 992 grams, 13.6 cm wide
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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Ring with Bird
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
D-section hoop with decorative shoulders, discoid bezel with splayed bird. 5.97 grams, 23.32 mm overall, 19.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
