Byzantine Gold Architectural Ring

Of piriform shape, decorated with stamped sunburst and pellet-in-triangle motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 522 grams, 12.1 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Composed of a slender carinated hoop adorned with filigree supporting a hollow-formed star-shaped bezel set with central polished cabochon garnet and granules, each of six arms pierced, remaining granule to one shoulder. 1.76 grams, 23.61 mm overall, 20.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Heater-shaped with attachment lugs to the reverse; high-relief figural design, possibly 'Daniel in the Lion's Den'. 16.01 grams, 35 mm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.