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LOT 0789
Byzantine Trade Weight Collection
CIRCA 10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 - 3/4 in. (72 grams total, 12-21 mm).
A mixed group of bronze trade weights of various shapes and sizes, including examples bearing decorated letters. [12, No Reserve]
ProvenanceGerman art market, 1990s.
Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Bracelet with Cross
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £203
A slender bracelet with D-section hoop and overlapping terminals, central cross with the five wounds of Christ represented as a shallow dimple to each arm and central silver circular boss, vertical ribs and dimples to the shoulders, waisted terminals decorated with vertical grooves and dot-in-ring motifs. 15.07 grams, 66 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired Munich, Germany, late 1990s. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A ceramic vessel with a piriform body and eccentrically placed domed mouth, indented line above foot; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 620 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family 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 Silver Ring with Saltire Cross
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A silver ring composed of a slender round-section hoop supporting a quatrefoil plaque with saltire cross engraved within a square at centre, diagonal hatching to each of the four lobes. 3.82 grams, 22.44 mm overall, 18.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.
