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LOT 0951
Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
CIRCA 8TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 1 in. (225 grams total, 11-26 mm).
Including mainly barrel-shaped types. [10, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Simmons gallery, London, UK.
Ex North London collection, 1990s.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body with bands of impressed tongue-shaped motifs, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 611 grams, 14.3 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
Circa 8th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Including discoid, tabular, cuboid and other types. 125 grams total, 11-25 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, London, UK. Ex North London collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
Piriform body decorated with concentric circles alternated to round patterns, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 545 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.
