Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0219
Byzantine Cobalt Blue Lidded Pyxis
9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3 5/8 in. (58 grams, 92 mm).
With a barrel-shaped body, domed shoulder, everted neck, band of high-relief disc with fluting, crenellated base; conical lid with spike handle and applied rim.
Provenance
Acquired 1960s-1970s.
From the estate of a Sheffield, UK, lady, thence by descent.
Literature
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 2000.5a, b, for a bone pyxis of similar form.
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 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 662 grams, 15.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.
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. -
Byzantine Marble Table Top with Roundels
6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £12,500
Broad stone disc with band of carved roundels to the border, dished central panel; the border comprising seventeen socket roundels with rosette and tendril ornament between, each roundel with reserved figural or emblematic ornament: an equal-arm cross with ivy leaves in the spandrels; to either side of this, a reserved regardant peacock; next to these, in pairs a calf's forequarters on each side; next, a goat, then a bull, then a regardant bird, a ram, a lamb and a peacock, remains of original pigment; reinforced with a steel backing and claws; accompanied by professionally made 'lift-on' wall brackets for display. 87 kg, 102 cm including wall bracket
Acquired in London from a UK collector in the early 2000s. Previously with an Austrian collector in London. Formerly in a North American collection. From a London gentleman, 2000s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12400-226356
The beasts have symbolic importance, such as the peacock for resurrection, the lamb as the 'lamb of god', and so on. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with Square Carnelian Bezel
8th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
With frond detailing to the shoulders, square bezel with hatched ornament, inset carnelian gemstone. 9.34 grams, 23.69 mm overall, 16.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Ex private collection, acquired in the 1980s. with Christie's, New York, 'Ancient Jewellery', 11 December 2003, no.455. Private European collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's pages.