Byzantine Silver Stamp Seal with Bird

Enkolpion with hinged suspension bar, each face with nimbate robed figure in orans pose with four busts surrounding. 49 grams, 94 mm



Ex DRG Coins and Antiquities, Bishops Stortford, Essex, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a handwritten ticket.

A piriform missile with domed and segmented filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 792 grams, 15 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'.

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.

Enkolpion plate with pierced lugs; obverse with low-relief nimbate robed figure in orans pose with teardrop motifs surrounding. 13.8 grams, 52 mm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a handwritten ticket.