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LOT 0987
Byzantine Bronze Trade Weight Collection
CIRCA 6TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 5/8 in. (32 grams total, 9-17 mm).
Mixed group of square trade weights with punched-point and impressed detailing. [11, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired since the 1970s.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
See Weber, K., Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Large Byzantine Inscribed Bronze Glove Ring with Swan
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
With facetted shoulders and octagonal bezel, central swan motif surrounded by enigmatic Greek text 'IOHMOK HΠ[.]IKO'. 12.22 grams, 25.54 mm overall, 21.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2, USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.
Similar rings have been found in the area of Vojvodina, where the military and ecclesiastical presence of Byzantium was still strong until the 13th century. The signet ring shows a Greek inscription probably made by Slavonic people using Greek letters as an 'imitation' of earlier Eastern Roman rings. -
Byzantine Belt Mount with Animal
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Tongue-shaped with attachment lug to the reverse and hinge knuckles to the edge; reserved design of a bull amid tendrils; geometric border. 13.8 grams, 40 mm
Acquired on the Europen art market. From the collection of an London antiquarian. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
Piriform body decorated with concentric circles alternated to round patterns, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 545 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.
