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LOT 0968
Byzantine Lead Cross
5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/2 in. (357 grams, 21.5 cm).
Flat-section cruciform mount with stub arms and attachment point at one end; high-relief saltires, hoops and other detailing.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection since the late 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0968
Byzantine Lead Cross
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Enamelled Brooch with Bird
9th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £45
Comprising: Outer ring linked by six radiating ellipsoid spokes to central hun, pin-lug, pin and catch to the reverse; outer ring with median band of enamel, similar to each of the spokes; hub with enamel-filed bird motif on a plain enamelled field. 9.73 grams, 35 mm
Acquired before 1978. Private collection, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; circumferential concentric lines to the shoulder and beneath the neck enclosing bands of radiating lines; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 1.16 kg, 16.5 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Bronze Bow Brooch with Cross
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
With deep bow flanked by two pairs of lateral disc-headed studs, cruciform foot returning to form the catch and with loop around the shank, spring and pin to reverse. 17 grams, 53 mm
Ex important German collection of brooches, 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
