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LOT 0808
Byzantine Silver Inlaid Weight
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (80 grams, 37 mm).
A bronze square tabular weight with silver inlay; inscribed arch with rosettes above the corners, spiral columns and pointillé detailing; silver-inlaid cross flaked by 'Γ Γ' for a quadrans (3 oz).
ProvenanceAcquired 1969-1999.
London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent.
Cf. Weber, K., Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009, table 4.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A squat ceramic vessel with a piriform body and domed mouth, band of impressed discs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 480 grams, 96 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Byzantine Mason's Plumb Bob Weight
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
A bronze spinning-top shaped mason's plumb bob with lentoid-section body, carinated upper finial and waisted lower stem, perforated for suspension. 142 grams, 73 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Byzantine Bull-Head Attachment with Cross
5th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
An iron attachment composed of a stylised bull's head with slender recurved horns and pricked ears, a Christian expanding arm cross emerging from the animal's head on a rectangular arm. 55 grams, 74 mm
with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.
