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LOT 0174
Byzantine Lead Plaque with Menorah Inscribed by Jakob the Scribe
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (94 grams, 74 mm).
Fish-shaped lead plaque with low-relief stamped panel, menorah and legend; impression from a wine amphora stamp, rectangular with a raised rim in the name of Jakob the Scribe: ΕΙΑ - ΚΟY / ΛΙΛ - ΕΒΑ (retrograde); seven-branched menorah between a shofar (right) and lulav (palm frond) and an etrog (yellow citron). [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
For a bronze stamp from Sardis with the Menorah between a bunch of grapes and a palm branch, now in the British Museum under inventory no.1888, 0511. 3.; cf. similar stamp with similar design in Nomos AG Auction 20 (10th July 2020) lot 396.
FootnotesThe first word is the name Iacobus' (Jakob) and the second word (Λιλεβα) is likely derived from the Latin libellarius (scribe or notary), which was borrowed by Hebrew as ‘לבלר ’ (‘liblar’).The latter term is closer in meaning to the medieval ‘clerk’, than to the typical Hebrew word for scribe, ‘סופר’ (‘sofer’).
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 0174
Byzantine Lead Plaque with Menorah Inscribed by Jakob the Scribe
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A piriform missile with domed filler-hole, raised lugs and impressed annulets to the body, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 518 grams, 11.5 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.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16. 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. -
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Byzantine Silver-Gilt Temple Ring Pair
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Hollow-formed with applied filigree collars to shank and base of horns, bulbs with horns and granule clusters; one bulb detached. 91 grams total, 72-75 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Blue Glass Bead Necklace with Gold Elements
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Restrung designer necklace with blue-glass drawn annular, biconvex and other beads with eight later rosette plaques, each hollow with floral detailing to both faces and a sheet gold surface; modern clasp. 19 grams, 46 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Ex property of an East London, UK, gentleman. Property of a Californian, USA, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
