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LOT 0204
Byzantine Gold Ring with Openwork Knot Design with Stylised Birds and Clasped Hands
CIRCA 13TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.27 grams, 20.90 mm overall, 19.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)).
Slender flat-section hoop with clasped hands (mane in fede) to underside flanked by hatched cuffs; profile dove to each shoulder; bezel pierced with knotwork motif.
ProvenancePrivate collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 484, 496, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0204
Byzantine Gold Ring with Openwork Knot Design with Stylised Birds and Clasped Hands
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£600 (EUR 696; USD 810) ‡+BP*
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Mary and Christ
Circa 7th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With flared disc bezel, incuse image of Mary Theotokos and infant Jesus beside a frond. 9.40 grams, 29.85 mm overall, 19.74 x 17.85 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. -
Byzantine Ceramic Bulla with Calvary Scene
Circa 7th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Plano-convex in section and oblate in plan with incuse design of crucifixion flanked by angels in flight and ladder to one side. 4.57 grams, 21 mm
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £70 - 90 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, the body decorated with impressed ring-and-dot motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 376 grams, 11.6 cm
Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.
