Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1294
Byzantine Bronze Tongue-Shaped Strap End
CIRCA 8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (16.9 grams, 41 mm).
With recessed central panel, beaded edges, slot to short end; openwork scrolled foliage motif. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Byzantine Period Terracotta Oil Lamp
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform body with short nozzle and a stub handle on the rear, raised linear decoration on the body, base with a sunwheel motif. 100 grams, 89 mm
From the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
A bifacial pendant with raised edges and knops at the end of each arm. 5.06 grams, 40 mm
Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Cylindrical body with thickened base and angled shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 365 grams, 10.1 cm
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.