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LOT 1474
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 in. (783 grams, 14.7 cm).
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of ring-and-dot motifs on the shoulder and radiating indentations on the base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s.
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 Gefäße 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. 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 1474
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
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Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Piriform in profile with a domed mouth and a stepped neck, incised decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 16.5 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s.
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. -
German Third Reich SA Dagger by Julius Bahrl Jr.Solingen
1933 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising a broad blade with inscription 'Alles für Deutschland' ('everything for Germany') and maker's mark 'Julius Bahrl Jr., Solingen', slightly curved hilt, wooden grip bearing inset logo of eagle and swastika within a ring; sheath with attachment hoop and knob at scabbard chape. 444 grams, 37.5 cm
From the private collection of a Colchester, UK, gentleman.
The Julius Bahrl Jr. steel goods factory from Solingen-Merscheid is among the smaller Solingen makers that are only partially documented today. A verified founding year is not clearly preserved in the sources; however, the company is known to have been active in the early 1930s. This dagger is an Early Model 1933 SA Dagger (Sturmabteilung Dienstdolch). -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of ring-and-dot motifs on the shoulder and radiating indentations on the base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 783 grams, 14.7 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.
