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LOT 1079
Byzantine Silver Stamp Seal with Bird
6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (11.7 grams, 24 mm).
Conical body with integral loop above, underside with a standing bird with hooked beak, pelletted field.
ProvenancePrivate collection, UK.
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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LOT 1079
Byzantine Silver Stamp Seal with Bird
Estimate £250 - 350€290 - 410 (for guidance only)$340 - 470 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Spread Eagle
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
D-section hoop with oval bezel bearing a stylised eagle with its wings open. 3.66 grams, 21.55 mm overall, 19.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Gold Openwork Beads
12th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £650 - 850 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £325
Each a spherical cage with ropework texturing, granule at each node; oval glass bead within. 13.8 grams, 22 mm each
Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1998. Private collection, Europe. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Biconical in profile with pointillé and linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 544 grams, 13 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.
