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LOT 0762
Byzantine Iron Tweezers Group
CIRCA 10TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 - 6 in. (48 grams total, 14.5-15 cm).
Comprising: one with long arms, loop terminal with two further loops to the sides; another with long arms and loop terminal, the side loop with another pair of smaller tweezers. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s-1990s.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
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Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp
Circa 5th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With a sub-circular filling hole enclosed within a vegetal border, striated handle to the rear and cross motif to base. 59 grams, 91 mm
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, decorated with floral pattern on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 145 grams, 77 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with Cross
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Composed of a slender rectangular-section hoop and cruciform bezel with expanding round-section arms, central dome and granule to each quarter; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2.72 grams, 21.96 mm overall, 14.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
Private European collection since the 1950s. Private collection, UK, 2010.