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LOT 0814
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (824 grams, 15.5 cm).
Of piriform shape, with raised inverted tear-shaped bulbs over the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private 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'.
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.
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 0814
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
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Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Comprising two narrow hinged plates and articulated suspension loop with two vertical ribs; obverse with Jesus on the cross, dressed in a long robe with standing Virgin and Saint John on his side, Greek inscription 'ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου.Ἰδοὺ ἡ μήτηρ σου' (John 19:27-28: 'Here is your son. Here is your mother') under the arms; titulum, the sun and the moon above; on the tabula ansata of the titulum a Greek inscription 'Χ fur XΡΙΣΤΟΣ'; reverse with Theotokos (Mother of God) in orans pose and the four busts of the evangelists, at the four arms of the cross. 82 grams, 83 mm
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This enkolpion is a beautiful example of the type of pendant cross widespread in the 11th-12th centuries. Many variants of enkolpia reflected the new artistic fashions in vogue at Byzantium, influenced by the political and artistic vigour of the Macedonian dynasty. This enkolpion corresponds to type I of the Pitarakis classification. -
Byzantine Bronze Cooking Cauldron with Lidded Container for Steaming
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Composed of a hemispherical body and piriform lid with flange to the equator, hollow-formed lid and base with foot and removeable balustered finial with discoid cap to apex; body with two leaf-shaped plaques with loops to support the articulate round-section handle; body and lid decorated with dense feather or leaf detailing; very rare to find as complete. 406 grams, 16 cm high
cracked
Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent. -
Byzantine Ceramic 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Of piriform shape, with raised inverted tear-shaped bulbs over the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 932 grams, 15.2 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private 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. 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.
