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LOT 0195
Byzantine Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Decoration Set
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 3 5/8 in. (556 grams total, 11-92 mm).
Comprising: a large octofoil harness frontal plate with beaded rim and granulation; studs with quatrefoil plates; bell-shaped dangles.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12687-234699.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0195
Byzantine Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Decoration Set
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000€4,640 - 6,960 (for guidance only)$5,400 - 8,100 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Bronze Five Wounds of Christ Cross Pendant
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With rounded arms, each with concentric circles and a raised boss to the centre likely representing the Five Wounds of Christ. 5.21 grams, 36 mm
Ex Garcia collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Gold Earring with Cross and Garnet
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £360
Penannular hoop with applied collars, applied discoid plaque with beaded rum and openwork cross to the centre, lateral granule clusters, facetted garnet bead below. 6.53 grams, 44 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; the body decorated with annulets and concentric circles; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 457 grams, 11.2 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.
