Loading, please wait...
LOT 1508
Byzantine Inscribed Lead Bulla
CIRCA 10TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (24.2 grams, 25 mm).
Circular bulla with a facing nimbate bust on the obverse and the reverse with four lines of Greek text. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a UK collection formed in the 1980s.
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1508
Byzantine Inscribed Lead Bulla
Estimate £50 - 70€58 - 81 (for guidance only)$68 - 95 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
-
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Saint Demetrios
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
D-section hoop with vesica-shaped bezel depicting a standing nimbate figure of Saint Demetrios holding a spear and a shield. 8.65 grams, 24.38 mm overall, 18.98 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Inscription
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40
With raised disc to the bezel, incised enigmatic legend 'COΛON / ΠΝΛΕΜ / YΛA'. 6.23 grams, 21.12 mm overall, 16.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
Private collection, USA and Switzerland, before 1992; thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £70 - 90 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 619 grams, 12.8 cm
Ex 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'.
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.
