Byzantine Glazed Sgraffito Vessel

Piriform body with domed filler-hole surrounded with impressed petals, band of ring-and-dot motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 417 grams, 98 mm



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.

Broad hoop with incised geometric ornament. bezel with pelleted border, Greek inscription 'ΟΗΑΗ/ΚΕR'. 5.54 grams, 22.94 mm overall, 19.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



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

Capsule-shaped with openwork filigree ornament to the equator, a single granule to each terminal and a coiled wire suspension loop to apex. 0.82 grams, 15 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.