Byzantine Bronze Ring with Mary and Christ

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, the body decorated with impressed ring-and-dot motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 376 grams, 11.6 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.

Lozengiform silver frame with solid reverse, beaded edges; incised reserved cross pommy design to reverse; articulated polyhedral suspension loop; obverse open with inset carved cross fleury decorated with ring-and-dot motifs. 4.61 grams, 31 mm



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.

Discoid type with two nimbate figures flanking an altar. 4.42 grams, 16 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.