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LOT 0187
Byzantine Gold Openwork Beads from Earrings
10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (13.8 grams, 22 mm each).
Each a spherical cage with ropework texturing, a granule at each node; oval glass bead within. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired on the Swiss art market, 1998.
Private collection, Europe.
Cf. for similar specimens inserted within a complete earring, Niederle, L., Příspěvky k vývoji byzantských šperků ze IV. - X. Století (Contributions to the development of Byzantine jewellery from the IV. - 10th century), Praha, 1930, fig.66.
FootnotesThe openwork beads were prepared to be inserted in an earring of ‘Grapevine’ typology, III type of earring in the Niederle classification. Similar specimens, imported from Byzantium, were found in Tokaj (Hungary) and dated to the time of the Emperor Romanus Lekapenos (920-944 A.D.).
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LOT 0187
Byzantine Gold Openwork Beads from Earrings
Estimate £550 - 750€640 - 870 (for guidance only)$740 - 1,010 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£275 (EUR 319; USD 371) ‡+BP*
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Stavrosis and Two Roman Soldiers
10th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Comprising a D-section hoop and an oval bezel with a cross flanked by two adoring figures. 1.66 grams, 17.78 mm overall, 15.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, a circumferential band above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 276 grams, 87 mm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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. -
Byzantine Terracotta Tile with NYCIOY
6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Rectangular in plan with raised lip enclosing scene with standing female figure in ankle-length robe, legend 'ΝΥCΙΟΥ' (for νησιού 'belonging to Nisios'). 28.3 grams, 45 mm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent.
