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LOT 1498
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (919 grams, 13 cm).
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx 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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16. v
FootnotesApart 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.
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LOT 1498
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £70 - 90€81 - 104 (for guidance only)$95 - 122 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
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Byzantine Gold Ring Depicting the Virgin and Christ with Inscription
Circa 7th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Thick flat-section hoop with incised legend 'ΑΓIOC ΑΓIOC ΑΓIOC KYPIOC' (holy holy holy Lord); oblate bezel with Mary Theotokos and infant, flanked by crosses potent and feint Greek legend to the border 'K[...]ΛHI / [..]OCHΘI'. 8.09 grams, 20.91 mm overall, 17.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13416-259786.
The ring belongs to the type of Eastern Roman band rings featuring a sheet-metal bezel, common between the 6th and 7th centuries. The inscription "thrice Holy" (*Aghios-Aghios-Aghios*) refers to the Cherubikon hymn, while the protective formula *K[YPIE] / [B]OHΘI* ...*ΛHI*.... ("Lord, help *ΛHI*") refers to the ring's owner. -
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp Group
Holy Land, circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Each a slipper-shaped lamp with raised detail to the shoulder. 215 gramms total, 8.9-10.8 cm
Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. -
Byzantine Period Mosaic Glass Bangle
Circa 8th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Square-section hoop from black glass with green, red and yellow decoration to the outer face. 50.4 grams, 89 mm
From the collection of a gentleman born in the late 19th century, formed 1940s-1970s. From an old Staffordshire family collection; thence by descent.
