Large Byzantine Sgraffito Terracotta Bowl with Bird

With slender hoop and ellipsoid bezel flanked at each shoulder by two granules, beaded wire collar, inset intaglio olive tree flanked by bullrushes. 3.79 grams, 17.74 mm overall, 14.14 mm internal diameter



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.

Piriform body decorated with concentric circles, with sphero-conical filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 12.8 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Sub-rectangular in form with raised rectangular panel to centre, cells forming X-motif inlaid with red glass(?) against a blue field, central nacre(?) roundel engraved with a perched bird with polychrome enamelled detailing; trace remains of gilding to upper and side edges; piercing to each corner. 20.6 grams, 38 mm



Acquired in London, early 1980s. Purchased in Europe before 1992. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11811-206495.

The small square plaque was possibly part of the decoration of an Evangeliary, such as the enamels covering the binding of Henry II's Perikopenbuch, or the Siena Evangeliary (11th-13th century). Byzantium brought the enamel and cloisonné technique to its most perfect, refined and skilful expression. Between the 10th and 11th centuries it spreads its forms in the East and West and after some infiltration in the Romanesque-Lombard sphere, precious Eastern Roman cloisonnes were found in Russian art, reaching their apex in the Roman Empire during the 10th-12th centuries, in the decoration of icons and other artworks.