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LOT 1361
Byzantine Inscribed Bone Plaque
CIRCA 6TH-10TH CENTURY AD.
1 1/2 in. (3.12 grams, 38 mm).
Obverse with low-relief bust wearing conical headgear, with trefoil sceptre and hatched robe; reverse with legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΙΤΟ' ('T' inverted).
ProvenanceEx Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s.
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 1361
Byzantine Inscribed Bone Plaque
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Ovoid in profile with a domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 349 grams, 88 mm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Glove Ring with 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS'
Circa 10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Comprising a large round hoop and an oval bezel bearing a three-line inscription 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS', 'aghios' meaning 'saint' or 'holy'. 7.70 grams, 27.06 mm overall, 22.08 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, 10 3/4, Europe 24.40, Japan 23)
Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
'Holy, holy, holy' probably evokes one of the Biblical quotes from either: Isaiah 6:3, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts' or Revelation 4:8, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty', and/or a reference to the Trisagion 'Thrice Holy' Byzantine/Orthodox hymn. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Piriform in profile with a domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 513 grams, 12.2 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.
