Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1513
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (666 grams, 10 cm).
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, two incised circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
Provenance
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'.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Luristan Socketted Bronze Axe Head
12th-8th century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Comprising a wide curving blade and long neck with a band of herringbone decoration at the base, tubular neck with claw-like extension to the rear and a decorative diagonal band to both sides. 308 grams, 10.6 cm
Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1997. Private collection, Europe. -
.jpg)
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Comprising tanged arrowheads, four with large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, three with barbed shoulders and cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; three with barbed shoulders and convex on sides, one elongated triangular type with barbed shoulders and flat socket, one with trilobate blade and another with short tang and barbed blade with raised midrib. 305 grams total, 6.5-13.6 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
These arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A, B, C and D according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik, and Northern Iran, individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders. Most of them were cast in moulds. -
Greek Lead Slingshot Group
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Each lentoid with thick casting seam to the rim. 131 grams total, 26-31 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
