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LOT 1180
Byzantine Silver-Gilt Cross Pendant
CIRCA 9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (4.52 grams, 34 mm).
Bifacial cross with lobed finials, gilt Greek inscription on both sides, one side with 'KE BOHΘΗ' placed vertically and 'TON ΔOY[...]' horizontally; the other side with 'ΛON COY CTYΛY' placed vertically, and 'ANON' horizontally; the whole inscription reading: 'KγριΕ BOHΘH TON ΔOYΛON COY CTYΛYANON' = Lord helps your servant Stylianos.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, items 534-542, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1180
Byzantine Silver-Gilt Cross Pendant
Estimate £120 - 170€140 - 200 (for guidance only)$160 - 230 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£60 (EUR 70; USD 81) +BP*
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Byzantine Silver-Gilt Cross Pendant
Circa 9th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Bifacial cross with lobed finials, gilt Greek inscription on both sides, one side with 'KE BOHΘΗ' placed vertically and 'TON ΔOY[...]' horizontally; the other side with 'ΛON COY CTYΛY' placed vertically, and 'ANON' horizontally; the whole inscription reading: 'KγριΕ BOHΘH TON ΔOYΛON COY CTYΛYANON' = Lord helps your servant Stylianos. 4.52 grams, 34 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, a circumferential band above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 276 grams, 87 mm
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. -
Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp with Chevrons
Holy Land, circa 5th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Lug handle to the rear, band of herringbone pattern around the filler hole, the nozzle with a sunburst motif flanked by ring-and-dot motifs; low basal ring with a central pellet. 60 grams, 93 mm
Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.