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LOT 0978
Byzantine Gold Earring with Cross and Garnet
CIRCA 8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (6.53 grams, 44 mm).
Penannular hoop with applied collars, applied discoid plaque with beaded rum and openwork cross to the centre, lateral granule clusters, facetted garnet bead below.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0978
Byzantine Gold Earring with Cross and Garnet
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Gold Bell Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising a conical sheet-gold body and ribbed suspension loop with a ribbed collar below. 1.28 grams, 16 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Silver Reliquary Cross Pendant
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Composed of two pieces secured together by a rivet, incised cross motif to both faces. 5.15 grams, 30 mm
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): £182
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; impressed annulets surrounding the neck, two wide circumferential bands of hatching to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 992 grams, 13.6 cm wide
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.
