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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 Silver Inlaid Weight
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A bronze square tabular weight with silver inlay; inscribed arch with rosettes above the corners, spiral columns and pointillé detailing; silver-inlaid cross flaked by 'Γ Γ' for a quadrans (3 oz). 80 grams, 37 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent. -
Byzantine Bread Seal with Cross
6th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A stone or ceramic bread seal with rectangular base and two sub-triangular sidewalls, base with expanding-arm cross in relief to centre, annulet at centre and to each arm, likely representing the Five Wounds of Christ; pierced through apex for suspension. 83 grams, 59 mm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998. -
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.
