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LOT 1138
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 in. (613 grams, 17 cm).
Composed of a piriform body with 'feather' design and eccentrically placed domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, and used as a hand grenade; chipped foot. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceCollected before 1970.
Ex gallery of C.M., UK.
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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
FootnotesApart 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
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LOT 1138
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
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French Lebel 1886 Model 'Rosalie' Epee Bayonet with Scabbard
19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm M1886 Lebel rifle; fitted with 'German silver' grip scales; original scabbard. 532 grams, 65 cm
Property of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.
Known affectionately as “Rosalie” to French troops, the M1886 was the French mainstay during WWI and many were still in service at the Fall of France in 1940. The Lebel also saw extensive use worldwide by native troops in the French colonies. The M1886 introduced the distinctive cruciform blade, which remained a feature of most French bayonets until 1956. This example was made in 1890 at the Manufacture D'Armes St. Etienne (MAS). The scabbard was made by Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Châtellerault (MAC). This is an early example that escaped later modifications, retaining its long blade, quillon, and raised round press stud. The silver-alloy grip is removable. -
Early Iron Age 'Griffzungenschwert' Sword
10th-9th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Of Naue II Type, with broad flattened midrib to both faces of the iron blade, the blade gently broadening below the tip, serrated edges at the base, flanged rivetted guard and hilt for the insertion of the organic handle and rhomboid-section grip. 245 grams, 43.5 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The Naue II, also known as the grip-tongue sword, was one of the longest lasting of all sword types. First appearing in the late Bronze Age it lasted well into the Iron Age, a span of 500-700 years, and it was made both in bronze and iron. As early as 1450 B.C., in northern Italy, smiths came up with an early type of a sword now known as the Naue II. It spread first into central Europe, Scandinavia and the British Isles. By 1200 B.C. it had spread to Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands, the Levant, Palestine and Egypt. It was quite popular in Greece and the Aegean, but it is in Central Europe that the greatest number has been found. In all these areas it was the standard sword until the 7th century B.C. with iron replacing bronze, but still the same basic design. -
Medieval Iron Single-Edged Dagger
15th-16th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
The blade with a tapering, triangular cross-section and tang with rivet holes; wedge-shaped domed pommel. 131 grams, 31.5 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
This is a weapon rather than a domestic knife, and is depicted as a sidearm for soldiers and knights alike in various iconography. This type of dagger was in use from the 14th to mid 16th century, and this example finds similarities with Hauswehrs used in the Eastern Europe during the 15th-16th century A.D.
