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

Comprising one equal-armed with five punched holes; one with expanding arms and punched ring-and-dot decoration to one face; one similar with added discoid terminals at each arm; all with an attachment loop to the top. 18.4 grams total, 29-54 mm



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

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, an impressed circumferential band above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 419 grams, 10.7 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.

Circular bulla with a facing nimbate bust on the obverse and the reverse with four lines of Greek text. 24.2 grams, 25 mm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous body and a funicular neck, irregular wrinkle decoration on the body. 25 grams, 77 mm



UK art market, acquired before 1980. Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Discoid with raised border enclosing a low-relief monogram to the obverse, a low-relief of a winged cupid riding a lion and playing a harp to the reverse. 42 grams, 43 mm



Ex gentlemans collection,1990s, acquired 1999.

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.