Byzantine Bronze Cooking Cauldron with Lidded Container for Steaming
5th-6th century A.D. Composed of a hemispherical body and piriform lid with flange to the equator, hollow-formed lid and base with foot and removeable balustered finial with discoid cap to apex; body with two leaf-shaped plaques with loops to support the articulate round-section handle; body and lid decorated with dense feather or leaf detailing; very rare to find as complete. 406 grams, 16 cm high (6 1/4 in.). Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.