Byzantine Bronze Ring with Three Crosses of the Crucifixion

Slender hoop with decorated shoulders, an oval bezel with a facing nimbate bust holding a shield and a spear. 5.59 grams, 23.22 mm overall, 18.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, a circumferential band above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 276 grams, 87 mm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.

Each with a shallow discoid bowl and flared rim, round-section shank; one with an integral suspension ring. 58.3 grams total, 16.2-16.5 cm



Ex property of a London gentleman; part of a Mayfair collection formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Private collection, Suffolk, UK.