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LOT 1051
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp
5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (72 grams, 97 mm).
Slipper-shaped in plan with spike handle, raised rim to the filler hole, broad shoulder with raised radiating bars, stub nozzle with ring-and-dot above, low basal ring. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the Lloyd and Jeanne Raport collection, Washington, D.C.
and Florida, USA, formed between 1972-2000.
Acquired through Bonhams, London, UK.
Cf. De Vincenz, A., ‘Ceramic Vessels and Oil Lamps from the Burial Cave at ‘En Lavan, Nahal Refa’im’ in Atiqot, 98, 2020, pp.103-122, fig.8, for similar.
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 Silver Archer's Thumb Ring
Circa 12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
With narrow triangular flange, low-relief geometric designs, three hexagonal plaques. 17.11 grams, 39.50 mm overall, 22.88 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+2, USA 13 1/4, Europe 31.31, Japan 30)
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Piriform in profile with a band of impressed annulets on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 533 grams, 11.9 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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. -
Byzantine Silver-Gilt Box Mount with Scroll Cross
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Square-shaped with low-relief motif of four hexagonal frames with scroll motif forming a cross; four attachment legs to the underside. 9.92 grams, 27 mm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
