Loading, please wait...

Byzantine Bronze Ring with Monogram Byzantine Bronze Ring with Monogram Byzantine Bronze Ring with Monogram
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1059

Byzantine Bronze Ring with Monogram

13TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (5.76 grams, 24.25 mm overall, 20.14 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)).

An expanding hoop with decorated shoulders, an octagonal bezel with a monogram, composed of the Greek letters 'Χ [ΑΙΡΕ] ΔΥωΝ[Υ]C (?)' = Be glad Dyoniys. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 682, for the type.

Footnotes

The plate and hoop of these rings were soldered together. This system probably originated only in the late period of the Eastern Roman Empire, as evidenced by the faceting of the sides and the irregularity in the letters forming the name.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1059

Byzantine Bronze Ring with Monogram

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Byzantine Gold Filigree Pendant with Pearl Bead Drops
    Byzantine Gold Filigree Pendant with Pearl Bead Drops
    6th-7th century A.D. and later

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £936

    Hollow-formed gold earring shaped like the letter 'psi' (Ψ) with filigree detailing; attached chain drops with pearls, garnets, and other beads; a marriage. 4.92 grams, 73 mm



    From a European collection, 1960s. Ex North London, UK, gentleman.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Ring with Inscriptions
    Byzantine Bronze Ring with Inscriptions
    11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    Flat-section hoop with incuse foliate designs on each of the shoulders, oval bezel with inscription in two lines: 'ΙΗX ΗΝΑ' = Ἰη[σοῦς] Χ[ριστός] H N[I]KA' = Jesus Christ and the Victory. 5.79 grams, 23.02 mm overall, 19.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



    Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    In this category of rings, the oval hoop gradually widens into a full shoulder and a massive, flattened bezel. The bezel is an ellipsoidal field, decorated with a dedicatory inscription to Christ. The letters are roughly engraved. This ring is likely to have come from a Byzantine-era provincial Balkan workshop.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    Piriform in profile with a band of impressed motifs above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 500 grams, 13.2 cm



    From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list