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LOT 1172
Byzantine Ring with Bust of a Saint
12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (5.73 grams, 23.63 mm overall, 19.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
Wide hoop with a raised boss at the base, an oval bezel with a facing bust of a nimbate saint flanked by two crosses.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Enkolpion cross pommée hinged at the base and closure with facetted suspension loop above; obverse with silver-inlaid cross and (abraded) monogram to each roundel; reverse with abraded Corpus Christi. 38.3 grams, 82 mm
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Byzantine Engraved Bone Spindle Whorl with Birds Below Canopy
Circa 8th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £44
Barrel-shaped with incised ring-and-dot ornament forming an arcade. 7.78 grams, 17.78 mm
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 403 grams, 10.5 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.
