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LOT 1338
Byzantine Period Terracotta Oil Lamp
CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (104 grams, 10.6 cm).
Slipper type with a wide nozzle and a raised handle with pellet and ring-and-dot decoration to the rear, three vertical bands behind the handle, a band of pellets surrounding the filler-hole. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s.
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 Terracotta Oil Lamp
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
With central filling hole and small nozzle, U-section channel between, carinated body decorated with running tendril ornament, lug handle; repaired, nozzle chipped. 111 grams, 10.3 cm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. -
Byzantine Silver Ring with Gilt Eagle
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Disc bezel flanked by two bosses; gilt panel with low-relief eagle. 6.69 grams, 24.36 mm overall, 21.21 x 20.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration with a band of annulets below the neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 408 grams, 10.9 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.
