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LOT 0177
Byzantine Gold Cross Pendant
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (3.67 grams, 40 mm).
Hollow-formed sheet gold cruciform pendant with filigree ropework to the end of each expanding tubular arm, band of beading to the upper face of each arm and central pellet; bale to the upper end.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection since the late 1990s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12114-218167.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0177
Byzantine Gold Cross Pendant
Estimate £1,800 - 2,400€2,090 - 2,780 (for guidance only)$2,430 - 3,240 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform body with ribs to the shoulder and impressed ovoids to the upper face, recessed filler-hole to the shoulder, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 520 grams, 10.7 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. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform body with impressed hatched bands to the shoulder and upper body, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 802 grams, 18 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
; the shape finds correspondence with a fire grenade in the Kars Museum, no.14.09.2009. 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. -
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Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With remains of notch detailing to the outer edges of the arms, two links of the suspension chain. 2.58 grams, 38 mm
Ex DRG Coins and Antiquities, Essex, UK. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.
The example of a bronze cross corresponds, in shape and style, to a typology also known in organic material, specifically in wood. Dating this typology is difficult, as it is not easy to identify its place of origin or the context with which these crosses were associated.
