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LOT 0785
Byzantine Bull-Head Attachment with Cross
5TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
2 7/8 in. (55 grams, 74 mm).
An iron attachment composed of a stylised bull's head with slender recurved horns and pricked ears, a Christian expanding arm cross emerging from the animal's head on a rectangular arm.
Provenancewith a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.
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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LOT 0785
Byzantine Bull-Head Attachment with Cross
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Silver Inlaid Weight
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A bronze square tabular weight with silver inlay; inscribed arch with rosettes above the corners, spiral columns and pointillé detailing; silver-inlaid cross flaked by 'Γ Γ' for a quadrans (3 oz). 80 grams, 37 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A ceramic vessel with a piriform body and eccentrically placed domed mouth, indented line above foot; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 620 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Byzantine Gilt Strap Distributor
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A gilt strap distributor with crescentic motif adorned with foliage in relief, pierced foliate panel to centre. 20.4 grams, 31 mm
UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
