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LOT 1112
Byzantine Silver Artefact Group
6TH-15TH CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
3/8 - 1 5/8 in. (12.81 grams total, 11-40 mm).
Including a teardrop pendant, sheet-silver miniature mask, plano-convex crystal lens and other items. [8, No Reserve]
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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Byzantine Silver Ring with Cross
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Discoid bezel with incuse cross fourchee, interstitial saltire. 3.83 grams, 24.35 mm overall, 20.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With an expanding D-section hoop and a raised discoid bezel with a stylised nimbate figure holding a spear and a shield. 5.15 grams, 22.16 mm overall, 19.05 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
These banded rings, made of bronze sheet with a flattened ellipsoidal head, could be decorated with geometric or animal ornaments executed by shallow carving. In this circumstance, the bezel is decorated with the stylised image, most probably of a military saint, who was asked for protection and blessing. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 269 grams, 85 mm
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'.
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.
