Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade

Including barbed-and-tanged, leaf-shaped, spade-shaped and other types. 339 grams total, 7.9-14 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising a crescentic blade with two spurs at each end intended to brace against the shaft, a narrow neck, flared socket with vertical spurs and a knop finial projecting from the rear; ribbed decoration on the rear edge; one side of the blade incised with a symbol of the god sun Shamash, depicted as a four-pointed star with wavy rays alternating with straight rays, a winged solar disc inside. 294 grams, 12.7 cm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13043-248308.

This specific type of weapon is called an ‘anchor’ axe because of its shape. Anchor axes have been excavated in Egypt, at Byblos and Ur. Many of them have been said to come from Iran as well, especially from the area of Gilan. The present specimen, in which the shaft hole is joined to the blade by the central tang, is of the same specific type as that excavated in Ur. According to Calmeyer, these axes developed in Mesopotamia. Moorey further explains that the large numbers of these axes reported from Iran could derive from Mesopotamian imports. The Mesopotamian origin of our axe could be further confirmed by the incised motif on the blade, the symbol of the sun god Shamash. The ‘star of Shamash’, typically represented as a four-pointed star with wavy lines placed between the points, is attested as early as the period of Sargon of Accad, who dominated Mesopotamia in 2200 B.C. This symbol can be visible on various Mesopotamian artworks, like the ‘Kudurru’ of Ritti-Marduk at the British Museum; however, dated to 1125-1104 B.C. Another representation is visible on the Tablet of Shamash at the BM, dated 800 B.C. It is also possible, therefore, that the symbol of Shamash was incised on the axe in a later period, but not later than 800 B.C.

Small and biconical in profile with narrow point; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 89 grams, 67 mm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.