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LOT 1125
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Christ and Saints
CIRCA 10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3 7/8 in. (56.8 grams, 98 mm).
Bifacial enkolpion with roundel to end of each arm, hinged polyhedral suspension loop above; obverse with low-relief central Corpus Christi and bust of a saint in each roundel; reverse with central seated figure of Mary surrounded by text and with a nimbate bust in each roundel. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.
LiteratureCf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines En Bronze, Paris, 2006, p.37, 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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LOT 1125
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Christ and Saints
Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 403 grams, 10.5 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. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Comprising a slender large hoop and a discoid bezel with a stylised standing bird. 2.34 grams, 23.12 mm overall, 18.28 x 20.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Carved Agate Cameo of The Holy Banquet
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Plano-convex in section with low-relief carving: scene with a meal at a so-called sigma table surrounded by Christ, Peter, John and the other disciples; Christ and Peter attending and beardless Saint John the Evangelist preparing the fish. 9.95 grams, 32 mm
From a North American gentleman's collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13368-259040.
In early Byzantine art, Saint Peter is often depicted as the only figure apart from Christ to be shown with a nimbus, to emphasise his pre-eminent position as a church father and the 'rock' of the church.
