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LOT 0981
Byzantine Decorated Bronze Weight
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (81.9 grams, 37 mm).
Square in plan and with chamfered edges, small bale; low-relief design of a voided cross flanked by curlicues above two voided gamma characters with points. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Weber, K., Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009, table 4.
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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