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LOT 0931
Byzantine Glass Weight with Eparches Inscription
CIRCA 6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (2.36 grams, 23 mm).
Discoid weight with low-relief portrait bust, Greek legend.
ProvenanceFrom the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.
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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Early Byzantine Gold Ring with Pearls and Later Cloisonne Enamelled Figure
Italy, 7th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Flat hoop with beaded wire borders and braided filigree ornament; discoid box bezel with seed pearls on a wire to the outer edge; upper face a (modern) cloisonné enamel panel depicting Mary in orans posture. 6.37 grams, 23.84 mm overall, 18.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
From a collection formed in Antwerp, Belgium. Acquired in France in the early 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue information page. -
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. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Piriform body with scaphoid flanges to the upper body, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 513 grams, 12.1 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.
