Silver-gilt, 5.17 grams, 53.32 mm. 6th-7th century. A finely made earring based on an elliptical crescentic plate with a rectangular cabochon crystal set centrally in the upper zone. Around the edges of the cell are groups of granulation in triangular forms. Outside this is a double-band of ropework in a herringbone pattern, separated by a plain field from a triple-band of the same. At the top are two large granulations with adjacent triangular groupings; these are placed where the hoop joins the main body of the piece. Granulated decoration is placed on the outer face of the hoop itself. Reference: similar in overall design to the crescentic Byzantine earring in Bonham’s catalogue, 26th April 2007 item 229 and cf. granulation on 226. Good very fine condition.

Copper-alloy, 8.79 grams, 39.05 mm. Circa 6th century AD. A cast copper-alloy buckle fitting comprising an eccentric annular plate, trapezoidal plate and strap loop. The trapezoidal plate features a carefully modelled human mask with pellet eyes and block nose above the discoid plate with T-shaped central void and running scroll decoration to the upper face in three panels. Opposite the human mask panel the plate narrows to accept a tongue (lost in antiquity). Above the mask there is a square frame for attachment of a strap. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an important London collection, cat.no.1770.

Ceramic, 620 grams, 13 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 495 grams, 12.7 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Fuse nossle chipped, otherwise very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 710 grams, 14.5 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Large chip to base, otherwise good very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Copper-alloy, 7.40 grams, 37.03 mm. Circa 6th-7th century AD. A cast openwork buckle comprising an integral plate and loop and separate tongue. The loop is rectangular with chamfered edges and a couch for the tongue. The plate is D-shaped with cruciform and crescent piercings and small knop at the rear. The tongue is a flat bar inserted through the plate's piercing and coiled around the rear of the loop. There are three pierced lugs on the reverse for attachment. Reference: cf. hinged-plate openwork buckle from Eski-Kermen in Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007 item I.6.1.1. Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Ceramic, 785 grams, 14.5 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 530 grams, 12.5 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Fuse nossle chipped, otherwise very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 545 grams, 12.6 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Fuse nossle restored, otherwise very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 490 grams, 12.3 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Ceramic, 640 grams, 14 cm. Circa 10th century AD. A ceramic tear drop shaped vessel decorated with a geometric design. Accounts suggest that it was filled with a mixture of petroleum and designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably containing naphtha, the basis of Greek Fire. Referenace: W. Arendt 'Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42; W. Arendt 'Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16. Very fine condition. Provenance: private collection, North London, UK; acquired from a London Arms & Armor dealer in the 1950's.

Copper-alloy, 17.73 grams, 47.62 mm. Circa 8th-10th century AD. A cast copper-alloy buckle with integral plate. The rectangular loop is chamfered on the outer faces and features a couch for the tongue. On the rear bar are two rows of punched-point decoration. The tongue is a D-section bar passing through a cruciform void in the plate and curves over the leading edge of the loop. The plate is D-shaped with chamfered edges, cruciform and crescentic voids and three ring-and-dot motifs. On the rear is a palmette knop. On the reverse are three pierced lugs for attachment to the belt. Reference: Ross, M.C. Catalogue of Byzantine and Early Mediaeval Antiquities in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, vol.2, Washington, 2005, pl.xxxiii. Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection.