Byzantine Silver Cross Pendant

Buckle plate tongue-shaped with stylised birds motif within a segmented border and zoomorphic detailing; loops to the broad end and knop finial to the rounded end; kidney-shaped loop and tongue with thickened outer end; attachment lugs beneath. 31 grams, 82 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Showing a bust of a man dressed in a cloak and with his head turned to look over his right shoulder, possibly depicting St John; rectangular in plan with rounded corners. 2.52 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Artemis Gallery, 2003. Private collection, Europe.

Bulbous, undecorated body with flat base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 10.4 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.