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LOT 0358
Byzantine Silver Processional Cross with Cabochons
CIRCA 10TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
11 in. (272 grams, 27.7 cm).
A sheet-silver cross with expanding arms terminating in pairs of circular lobes, the upper and lower arm with an applied boss at the centre, each arm with a later pear-shaped cell with bead wire decoration, three set with a glass gem, a cross-shaped opening at the centre; twelve small holes to the body for attachment of decorative elements; attaches to lot 357.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of an antiquarian and collector of medieval art.
Acquired on the London art market.
Private collection, London, UK.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12732-234560.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. similar crosses in Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, items 165, 166, 168, for type;
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0358
Byzantine Silver Processional Cross with Cabochons
Estimate £4,000 - 6,000€4,640 - 6,960 (for guidance only)$5,400 - 8,100 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; rosettes separated by vertical lines to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 417 grams, 11 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 Ceramic Oil Lamp Collection
6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Comprising: a discoid lamp with low-relief branch motif surrounding the filler hole; a piriform lamp with a channel connecting the filler hole and nozzle, a low relief scene of a hound chasing a hare on both side of the filler hole, the base with a spoked wheel motif. 180 grams total, 84-88 mm
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform in profile with domed mouth; a circumferential scalloped band to the shoulder with impressed pellet to each petal, a band of ring-and-dot motifs above; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 434 grams, 10.9 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.
