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LOT 1024
Byzantine Silver Intaglio with Inscription
CIRCA 6TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (2.01 grams, 13 mm).
Discoid-shaped with Greek inscription in four lines.
ProvenanceFrom an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.
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' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, three rows of impressed ring-and-dot motifs to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 11.4 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. -
Byzantine Lead Pilgrim's Ampulla
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Modelled as a two-handled amphora with decorative bands to the body. 25.3 grams, 54 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Gold Filigree Heart-Shaped Pendant
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Hollow with three filigree circles to the underside each with scrolled filigree fill, pierced sidewall, three openwork filigree domes to the obverse with granules and a tubular cell to the apex of the lower one. 2.92 grams, 24 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s-2000s.
