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LOT 0950
Byzantine Bronze Seal with Saint
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (6.34 grams, 18 mm).
Collared loop above, underside with facing bust of a nimbate saint holding a cross. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Byzantine Gold Ring with Christ Engraved on a Green Chalcedony Gemstone
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
With round-section hoop and discoid stepped bezel, inset chalcedony cloison with nimbate bust of Christ. 10.07 grams, 26.22 mm overall, 20.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)
UK collection, acquired 1971. with Christie's, London, 5 July 2023, no.61. Accompanied by a positive scientific statement from Striptwist Limited, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 220507. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12691-235717. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform in profile with tiered neck and domed mouth; the upper body and neck decorated with starburst motifs, a circumferential band of lozenges with starburst motifs inside below the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 548 grams, 12 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Gold Openwork Architectural Ring
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £450
Comprising a broad hoop with repoussé scrolled vine tendrils, beaded borders; pyramidal bezel with empty discoid cell flanked by granules and with a beaded wire rim. 4.48 grams, 32.81 mm overall, 17.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)
British private collection, before 1981. Acquired in 2003. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
