Byzantine Silver-Gilt Ring with Saint

Cruciform amulet with expanding arms, disc to the centre with low-relief cross symbol. 1.45 grams, 22 mm



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

Piriform body with gusset to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.6 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.

Comprising a D-shaped plate with acanthus-leaf motif in low-relief, beaded wire band above the hinge, kidney-shaped rectangular-section loop, flat tongue with spur to the upper face; three mounting studs to reverse. 33.02 grams, 55 mm



Acquired from Bernard Hern, 1970s. From an old UK collection, 1970s-1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12113-217070.