Byzantine Gold Star Ring

Sub-rectangular plaque with integral pierced lug suspender; incuse figure of a horseman to one face with enigmatic Greek legend, winged figure to the other face with four lines of Greek text. 8.02 grams, 55 mm



English collection, 1990s. Ex North London gallery.

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.