Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, incised concentric circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 752 grams, 12.8 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Featuring teardrop-shaped arms with pellets and an integral suspension loop. 3.9 grams, 43 mm



Acquired on UK art market in the 1990s. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Comprising three conical-shaped mounts with knob finials and square-section shafts. 44.5 grams total, 24-61 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 390 grams, 96 mm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Flat in section with pierced lug and suspension ring, lightly inscribed to the ends of the arms 'NI / KA / HC / ΛC'. 10.3 grams, 56 mm



Acquired in Munich, Germany, in 2001. European private collection. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

D-section hoop with vesica-shaped bezel depicting a standing nimbate figure of Saint Demetrios holding a spear and a shield. 8.65 grams, 24.38 mm overall, 18.98 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Globular body with a tubular neck. 334 grams, 11.7 cm high



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired before 2000. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Modelled seated with pinched facial details and heavy breasts. 155 grams, 82 mm wide



Mayfair gallery, early 1990s. Ex North American gentleman collection.

Including a carnelian mouse amulet, haematite bowl with ribbed loop, triangular-section bird's head with ring-and-dot eyes. 3.36 grams total, 15-16 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

With frieze depicting a seated bearded figure holding a cup and an attendant standing behind, a raised altar with an attendant possibly performing a sacrifice, star and crescent moon to the top; drilled longitudinally with a bronze attachment loop to the top; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 22.7 grams, 60 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

Plano-convex in section with low-relief Kufic script legend. 0.68 grams, 17 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Openwork bead or necklace element with granulated decoration. 0.7 grams, 10 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards.