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LOT 0176
Byzantine Decorated Gold Belt Buckle
8TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/8 in. (33.02 grams, 55 mm).
Comprising a D-shaped plate with acanthus-leaf motif in low-relief, beaded wire band above the hinge, kidney-shaped rectangular-section loop, flat tongue with spur to the upper face; three mounting studs to reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired from Bernard Hern, 1970s.
From an old UK collection, 1970s-1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12113-217070.
Cf. Schulze-Dörrlamm, M., Byzantinische Gürtelschnallen und Gürtelbeschläge im Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseum, Teil 2. Die Schnallen mit Scharnierbeschläg und Schnallen mit angegossenem Riemendurchzug des 7. bis 10. Jahrhunderts, Mainz, 2009, no.26, fig.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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LOT 0176
Byzantine Decorated Gold Belt Buckle
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000€4,640 - 6,960 (for guidance only)$5,400 - 8,100 (for guidance only)
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Miniature Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform body with lateral ribs and impressed ornament to the upper body, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 132 grams, 79 mm
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. -
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Byzantine Bronze Horse Harness Boss Pendant
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Large domed centre with low-relief sun wheel design, pellets to the rim and suspension loop above. 28.6 grams, 75 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
In the late Byzantium period, round-shaped buckles and horse harness mounts were often decorated with beaded edges and with floral embossed ornaments, under the influence of the Ottoman Turks. They have the shape of a small shield and impressed decoration of a rose. Belt appliques have an extra boss for attachment, instead of a loop which is usually attached to the horse harness pendants. -
Byzantine Inscribed Silver Bowl with Chi Rho
Circa 11th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £10,000 - 14,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,556
With rounded underside and flange rim; tondo with incised symmetrical vinescroll with bunches of grapes enclosing central disc with niello-filled Chi Rho flanked by alpha and omega; legend to the rim in capitals: '+++ ΥΠΕΡ ΑΝΑΠΑΥϹΕΩϹ ΕΥΧΗϹ ΟΝ ΟΙΔΕΝ ΟΘϹ ΤΑ ΟΝΟΜΑΤΑ' (For the eternal rest of him who had knowledge in the name of the Lord). 395 grams, 23.5 cm wide
From a European family collection formed in the 1990s; thence by descent to a UK gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by professional drawings of the object. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11963-210867.
The decorative apparatus of this plate could be associated with Eastern Roman art of the 11-12th century A.D., although we cannot exclude an earlier dating.
