Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0197
Byzantine Gilt Bronze Horse Harness Decoration Set
8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1/4 - 4 1/4 in. (236 grams total, 0.6-10.9 cm).
Group of tongue-shaped harness plates, rosette and other studs and three-armed distributors.
Provenance
From 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.12689-234700.
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.
VETTING:
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 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 Bronze Ring with Bird
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A slender hoop with discoid bezel decorated with a bird facing back, a cross above the back of the bird, pelletted border. 2.95 grams, 19.95 mm overall, 16.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. 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): £65
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; a circumferential band of alternating leaf and zig-zag motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 735 grams, 11 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.
