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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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Georgian Flintlock Brass Blunderbuss with Spring Bayonet
18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Featuring steel flintlock action and spring-hinged triangular section bayonet with sliding retaining catch; the wood stock fitted with brass butt plate, side plate, trigger guard, ramrod mounts and escutcheon; a wood ramrod with brass ram tip and steel screw extractor fitted to underside of barrel; the barrel numbered 'A098' to right side near lock and the bayonet with number '86' at hinge; traces of original blued finish to lock; the lock and bayonet mechanisms in working order. 2.64 kg, 97 cm overall
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent. -
Medieval Iron Grappling Hook
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Retaining a free-running suspension loop. 598 grams, 22 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The device (manus ferreae) was invented by the Romans in approximately 260 B.C.The grappling hook was originally used in naval warfare to catch ship rigging so that it could be boarded (the famous harpax of Agrippa at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C.), then widely employed in the siege wars. -
North-Western Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Featuring a prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso of the blade and partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 346 grams, 43.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti.
