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LOT 1052
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
12TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (6.65 grams, 23.80 mm overall, 18.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)).
D-section hoop with keeled shoulders, polygonal bezel with a stylised nimbate figure. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. for the type Crajovan, B., ‘Inele medievale cu şi fără chaton descoperite pe teritoriul jud. Timiş, România,’ in Patrimonium Banaticum IX, 2019, pp.167–175, pl.3/5.
FootnotesThis category of rings had a hexagonal-rounded chaton raised above the link. Conforming to the iconography of the Orthodox countries under the influence of Byzantium, the possible decoration was related to the military saints. The ring was made of bronze, most likely by casting.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi to reverse; usage wear. 13.79 grams, 45 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.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform in profile with an undecorated body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 484 grams, 12.5 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. -
Byzantine Silver Artefact Group
6th-15th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £111
Including a teardrop pendant, sheet-silver miniature mask, plano-convex crystal lens and other items. 12.81 grams total, 11-40 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
