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LOT 1126
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
9TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (35.5 grams, 76 mm).
Enkolpion panel with hinge knuckles, low-relief nimbate figure to obverse with 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ' legend above, ring-and-dot and guilloche ornament to the robe. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK.
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.
Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket.
Cf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines en Bronze, Paris, 2006, items 274, 276, for type.
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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Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Expanding arm cross with traces of niello scroll decoration on the obverse. 5.3 grams, 36 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.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 269 grams, 85 mm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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 Buckle Plate
8th-9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Tongue-shaped body with elaborate decoration, a cross at the upper end, punched pellet motifs on the raised areas. 13.1 grams, 43 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
