Byzantine Reliquary Cross Pendant

A bronze square tabular weight with silver inlay; inscribed arch with rosettes above the corners, spiral columns and pointillé detailing; silver-inlaid cross flaked by 'Γ Γ' for a quadrans (3 oz). 80 grams, 37 mm



Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent.

An iron attachment composed of a stylised bull's head with slender recurved horns and pricked ears, a Christian expanding arm cross emerging from the animal's head on a rectangular arm. 55 grams, 74 mm



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

A ceramic vessel with a piriform body and domed mouth, stepped rings to the foot; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 507 grams, 15 cm



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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.