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LOT 1125
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (640 grams, 13.5 cm).
Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx London, UK, collection, 1990s.
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 1125
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
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Viking Age Iron Axehead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Composed of a sub-circular socket, lozengiform flanges above and below, rectangular hammer-style butt and axe head with straight upper and curved lower edge, convex cutting edge. 729 grams, 17.8 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Viking Iron Bearded Axehead
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Composed of a flanged and rounded butt, shaped lower edge and convex cutting edge. 688 grams, 16.2 cm
Ex American collection, acquired 1980-200. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
14th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Lanceolate profile with rounded tip and deep shoulders, short tang. 223 grams, 40 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in Luristan were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved. The spearhead seems to belong to the type V (heavy spearheads) of the Khorasani's classification, having ovate blade with rounded and gently curved shoulders. Unfortunately the original mid-rib is today completely effaced.
