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LOT 1001
Byzantine Intaglio Gemstone
CIRCA 6TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (1.3 grams, 17 mm).
With incised legend '+OKA / TOIKO / NENBO / HΘIA' (for 'O KATOIKΩN EN BOHΩEIA' "Whoever dwells in the shelter (of the most high)' from Psalm 90.
ProvenanceFrom an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.
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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Byzantine Gold Filigree Pendant
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Capsule-shaped with openwork filigree ornament to the equator, a single granule to each terminal and a coiled wire suspension loop to apex. 0.82 grams, 15 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Group
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising: a flat-section cross with annulets; an enkolpion plate; a cross with conical arms, raised cross to the centre. 12.1 grams total, 27-38 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform body with domed filler-hole forming the centre of a flower with radiating petals; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 449 grams, 10.1 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.
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.
