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LOT 1143
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle
12TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (4.29 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 20.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)).
Wide hoop with starburst motifs on the shoulders, discoid bezel with stylised eagle with open wings. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Silver Stamp Seal with Bird
6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £115
Conical body with integral loop above, underside with a standing bird with hooked beak, pelletted field. 11.7 grams, 24 mm
Private collection, UK. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Expanding arms with a pellet to each corner, raised cross motif at the centre. 4.54 grams, 32 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
A piriform missile with domed filler-hole (chipped), segmented flanges to the sidewall and impressed texture; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 844 grams, 13 cm
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'.
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.
