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LOT 0986
Byzantine Glazed Sgraffito-Ware Shipwreck Bowl
13TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
8 5/8 in. (504 grams, 22 cm).
Shallow bowl with glazed upper face and basal ring, reserved geometric design of roundels and lozenges, with signs of sea encrustations.
ProvenancePrivate collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. similar item in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.1994.306.
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 0986
Byzantine Glazed Sgraffito-Ware Shipwreck Bowl
Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
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Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant with Overlapping Bars
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
With pierced polyhedral upper and knop above, body formed as two intersecting fusiform bars with recess. 32.8 grams, 66 mm
Belgium collection, 1980s. From the collection of an London antiquarian. -
Byzantine Glazed Sgraffito-Ware Shipwreck Bowl
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With glazed upper face and basal ring, incised geometric motif of a cross crosslet with interstitial radiating spurs, with signs of sea encrustations. 562 grams, 22 cm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body decorated with geometric patterns and horizontal lines, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 128 grams, 77 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.