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LOT 1087
Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp
5TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (88 grams, 11.4 cm).
Slipper-shaped in plan with curved lug handle to the rear, raised rim to the filler hole, broad shoulder with raised radiating bars, pellets and undulation, stub nozzle, and low basal ring. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Israeli collection, 1980s.
LiteratureCf. 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 type.
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Scrolls
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Comprising a wide, keeled band with a flat plaque on each shoulder, raised bezel with a discoid plaque decorated with scroll motifs. 7.46 grams, 30.65 mm overall, 19.57 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Bulbous, undecorated body with rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 447 grams, 95 mm
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 Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Slender hoop with scooped shoulders, a hexagonal bezel with a stylised warrior holding a long spear. 3.24 grams, 21.80 mm overall, 17.61 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This category of rings had a hexagonal-rounded chaton raised above the link. Conforming to the iconography of the Orthodox countries under the influence of Byzantium, the possible decoration was related to the military saints.
