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LOT 0809
Byzantine Stone Cross Mould
10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (163 grams, 67 mm).
Rectangular in plan with central recessed Christian cross, small recessed cross within a square to centre, pouring channel above; circular recess to each corner; soapstone.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, 1960s-1980s.
Ex Hertfordshire, UK collector.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Polished Black Stone Dish with Bust of an Emperor
5th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £260
Featuring a pedestal foot; the bust carved to one face, holding a globus cruciger in one hand, crosses and annulets in left and right fields, a horizontal register of concentric roundels to the opposite face. 49.7 grams, 59 mm
From a Paris gallery, French collection pre 1978. -
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Of piriform shape, with raised inverted tear-shaped bulbs over the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 824 grams, 15.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Byzantine Age Silver Temple Ring Pair
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Composed of a facetted bulb adorned with granulated pyramids; one hoop absent. 19.1 grams total, 26-31 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
