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LOT 1017
Byzantine Set of Engraved Bronze Weights
CIRCA 6TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
5/8 - 3/4 in. (26.19 grams total, 17-20 mm).
Comprising three discoid weights with recessed upper face, two with incised cross above and 'N B' flanking the central boss, one with 'N B' and pellets above and below. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bronze Amulet with Figures
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £167
Discoid with integral loop, tondo with figural scene of Simeon Stylites standing on his column, two worshippers at the base and two angels above; legend to the rim. 22 grams, 48 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. -
Byzantine Decorated Bronze Buckle
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Kidney-shaped in plan with segmented loop, curved tongue with rectangular shield, incised zigzag and pseudo-script. 26.5 grams, 41 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, band of tightly arranged teardrop motifs above a zig-zag line to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 432 grams, 10.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.
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.
