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LOT 1303
Large Byzantine Bronze Glove Ring with 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS'
CIRCA 10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.70 grams, 27.06 mm overall, 22.08 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, 10 3/4, Europe 24.40, Japan 23)).
Comprising a large round hoop and an oval bezel bearing a three-line inscription 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS', 'aghios' meaning 'saint' or 'holy'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market from the 1990s.
From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
'Holy, holy, holy' probably evokes one of the Biblical quotes from either: Isaiah 6:3, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts' or Revelation 4:8, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty', and/or a reference to the Trisagion 'Thrice Holy' Byzantine/Orthodox hymn.
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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LOT 1303
Large Byzantine Bronze Glove Ring with 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS'
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
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Byzantine Ceramic Oil Lamp Collection
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Comprising: a piriform lamp with a band of stylised quadrupeds surrounding the large filler hole, ribbed handle; a discoid lamp with raised linear decoration, wheel motif to base. 195 grams total, 9.6-10.1 cm
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. -
Byzantine Bronze Fish Pendant
6th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Bifacial pendant with crosshatching on the body, large ring-and-dot eyes and small raised fins, integral suspension loop above. 6.11 grams, 52 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration with a band of annulets below the neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 408 grams, 10.9 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.
