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LOT 1053
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (3.23 grams, 20.48 mm overall, 18.01 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14..35, Japan 13)).
Comprising a slender hoop with gently expanding shoulders, an oval bezel with a stylised standing figure holding a spear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Цуњак, М., Марковић-Николић, Љ., Античке и средњовековне некрополе Смедерева (Ancient and Medieval Necropolises of Smederevo, in Serbian), Смедерево, 1997, p.94, for the type of ring.
FootnotesThese kind of rings, possibly signet rings, find their parallels with artefacts from Eastern Europe, especially in the area of Smederevo. Comparison elements allow us to propose a 14th-15th A.D. date. In the Orthodox world, military saints were common representations, although engraved simplistically.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Bulbous, undecorated body with rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 447 grams, 95 mm
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. -
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saints
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising an expanding hoop and a rectangular bezel with two nimbate figures holding weapons; hoop split. 5.20 grams, 19.41 mm overall, 16.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This Western Balkan category of rings gradually widens towards the rectangular bezel, which is slightly raised above the ring and flattened. The bezel is decorated with stylised images, often military saints, who were asked for protection and blessing. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Slender hoop with discoid bezel showing a stylised warrior holding a long spear. 3.78 grams, 21.23 mm overall, 17.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
These banded rings, made of bronze sheet with a flattened ellipsoidal head, could be decorated with geometric or animal ornaments executed by shallow carving. In this circumstance, the bezel is decorated with a stylised image, most probably of Archangel Michael, who was asked for protection and blessing.
