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LOT 0205
Byzantine Rock Crystal Pendant
CIRCA 8TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (18.87 grams, 50 mm).
Biconvex crystal bead mounted on a gold rod with bulb below, hinged bale above; obverse with intaglio nimbate bust of Christ, reverse with nimbate bust of Mary.
ProvenanceAcquired from a London, UK, gallery, 1980s.
From a North American gentleman's collection, 1980-1990s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12692-235761.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and 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 Buckle-Plate with Combat Scene
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Tongue-shaped in plan with knop finial and three pierced lugs to the reverse; raised rim enclosing a scene with advancing gladiator and a lion(?) preparing to attack. 19.1 grams, 49 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. -
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Byzantine Bronze Lamp with Stand
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £1,800 - 2,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Comprising a squat nozzle with recessed disc finial, hinged lid shaped as a hare looking over its tail, basal disc with square hole to accept a stand, curled arms at the rear forming the handle with thumb-pad formed as a perching bird (one partly absent); separate stand with tripod legs and spike finial. 870 grams total, 12.5-19.5 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12688-236229. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and 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): £98
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth, a band of impressed ring-in-circle motifs to the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 865 grams, 18 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.
