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LOT 1149
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp with Stub Handle
CIRCA 7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 in. (73 grams, 84 mm).
Small lamp with linear decoration on the shoulder, tapering handle to the rear and low basal ring. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.
LiteratureCf. Rosenthal, R., Sivan, R., Ancient Lamps in the Schloessinger Collection, Jerusalem, 1978, fig.540, for the type.
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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Byzantine Carved Agate Cameo of The Holy Banquet
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Plano-convex in section with low-relief carving: scene with a meal at a so-called sigma table surrounded by Christ, Peter, John and the other disciples; Christ and Peter attending and beardless Saint John the Evangelist preparing the fish. 9.95 grams, 32 mm
From a North American gentleman's collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13368-259040.
In early Byzantine art, Saint Peter is often depicted as the only figure apart from Christ to be shown with a nimbus, to emphasise his pre-eminent position as a church father and the 'rock' of the church. -
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp
Circa 7th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform body with raised edge to the filler hole and low-relief linear decoration on the body, the base with a rosette. 110 grams, 94 mm
From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 598 grams, 12 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.
