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LOT 0941
Byzantine Quadruple-Spouted Terracotta Oil Lamp
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (313 grams, 15.7 cm).
Standing on a flared foot, the spouts arranged in a cross-shape with a low-relief cross motif on the top, each spout with a double hole.
Provenancewith Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
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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Byzantine Bronze Patrix Die of a Saint
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Rectangular in plan with incuse standing robed figure facing between crosses potent, hands in orans pose and nimbus to the head. 17.78 grams, 30 mm
Ex London and Home Counties gentleman, R.W., 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With a low-relief figure in orans pose, a fish flanking each hand; hinge-knuckles to both ends. 7.34 grams, 42 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a 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 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; vertical strokes to the lower body, a band of annulets and branches to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 401 grams, 13.5 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.
