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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 Cross Group
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising: a flat-section cross with annulets; an enkolpion plate; a cross with conical arms, raised cross to the centre. 12.1 grams total, 27-38 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body divided into segments with a central annulet; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 482 grams, 10.5 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. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body with domed filler-hole surrounded with impressed petals, band of ring-and-dot motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 417 grams, 98 mm
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.
