Byzantine Bronze 'Lord Help Leon the Servant' Stamp Seal

Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 662 grams, 15.5 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. 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.

Comprising three flat-section cross pendants, each decorated with ring-and-dot motifs. 9.18 grams total, 27-40 mm



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

With a barrel-shaped body, domed shoulder, everted neck, band of high-relief disc with fluting, crenellated base; conical lid with spike handle and applied rim. 58 grams, 92 mm



Acquired 1960s-1970s. From the estate of a Sheffield, UK, lady, thence by descent.