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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 Bronze Cross Pendant
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Round-section arms with knop finials, raised pellet at the centre and an integral suspension loop. 10.6 grams, 43 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): £78
Piriform in profile with a domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 513 grams, 12.2 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. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Formed of expanding round-section arms with a raised plaque at the centre on both sides. 11.44 grams, 55 mm
Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
