Byzantine Gold Ring with Sapphire

Of piriform shape with a band of stamped roundels to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick and used as a hand grenade. 664 grams, 11.6 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

The openwork filigree domed cap set with a deep blue glass bead, a carinated polished garnet bead and granulated gold bead below, gold granulated bead and turquoise-coloured glass bead above, together with a free-running suspension loop. 2.06 grams, 24 mm



Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.

Composed of a hemispherical body and piriform lid with flange to the equator, hollow-formed lid and base with foot and removeable balustered finial with discoid cap to apex; body with two leaf-shaped plaques with loops to support the articulate round-section handle; body and lid decorated with dense feather or leaf detailing; very rare to find as complete. 406 grams, 16 cm high

cracked

Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.