Byzantine Silver Ring with Gold Bezel with Inscription

With faceted hoop and disc bezel, incuse facing busts of Mary Theotikos and Joseph beside a crib with infant Jesus. 3.96 grams, 24.55 mm overall, 20.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V1/2, USA 10 1/2, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.

Discoid with raised border enclosing a low-relief monogram to the obverse, a low-relief of a winged cupid riding a lion and playing a harp to the reverse. 42 grams, 43 mm



Ex gentlemans collection,1990s, acquired 1999.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 919 grams, 13 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.