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LOT 0925
Byzantine Gold Strap End with Facing Figure
CIRCA 7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (7.40 grams, 39 mm).
The hollow-formed, tongue-shaped body adorned with a filigree border, repoussé figure with pellets on the torso and serpents framing the head; two ancient repairs to verso.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. similar mount in the collection of the British Museum, London, under accession no.1991,1002.1; see also similar pendant (in style) in Arslan, E.A., L'oro D'egli Avari, Popolo delle Steppe In Europa (The gold of the Avars, Steppe People in Europe, In Italian), Milano, 2000, for illustration of use and for comparable pieces, particularly p.110, cat.82.
FootnotesThe beautiful burials of horsemen found in the Avar necropolis of central Europe date to the last third of the 7th century A.D. and the early 8th century A.D. show wealth and pomp. This type of belt element, although present in the Avar graves, was probably produced in the workshops of the Eastern Roman Empire, from where they reached the Avar lands as imperial gifts or spoils of war. They could be simple fastenings for belts, or part of multiple belts, to which sabres and knives were attached, commonly used among Avars, Bulgars and Romans during the 6th -7th centuries A.D.
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Byzantine Silver Merchant's Ring with Monogram
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Discoid bezel with central cross pommee flanked by enigmatic characters. 4.22 grams, 25.08 mm overall, 21.10 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)
Ex Mr A. collection, Florida, USA. Private collection, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; a circumferential band of alternating leaf and zig-zag motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 735 grams, 11 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Bronze Five Wounds of Christ Cross Pendant
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With rounded arms, each with concentric circles and a raised boss to the centre likely representing the Five Wounds of Christ. 5.21 grams, 36 mm
Ex Garcia collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
