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LOT 0206
Byzantine Gold Openwork Earring Pair
CIRCA 6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (6.98 grams total, 28 mm each).
Each a crescent plaque with beaded borders, sprung hook and catch; openwork foliage motif. [2]
ProvenanceProperty of a North American gentleman, London, UK, 1990-2010.
LiteratureCf. Baldini Lippolis, I., L'Oreficeria nell'Impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo (the Jewellery in the Empire of Constantinople between IV and VII century, in Italian), Bari, 1999, pp.104ff, for the type, especially no.8 from Athens, Museum Kanellopoulos.
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Byzantine Bronze Decorated Archer's Thumb Ring
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Wide hoop with three raised bosses, triangular extension with vine-leaf and scroll decoration. 9.75 grams, 39.38 mm overall, 21.50 x 22.11 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27)
Ex Wiltshire, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform body with circumferential bands and impressed motifs on the shoulder and wide neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 562 grams, 10.3 cm
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 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration with a band of annulets below the neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 408 grams, 10.9 cm
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.
