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LOT 1072
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (490 grams, 15 cm).
Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, circumferential impressed bands to the shoulder and equator; 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 1072
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
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British WWII 'Tommy's' Helmet
1939-1945 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Standard issue steel helmet with leather liner and fabric chin-strap, finished green. 1.14 kg, 31 wide
The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
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Post Medieval Horseman's Axe
Late 17th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £546
Featuring an openwork blade stamped with maker's marks on both faces: three punched starburst marks to one face, starburst and cross with two pellets to the reverse; later wooden shaft, collar and rivet. 740 grams, 67 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Iron Age Celtiberian Dagger
Circa 6th-5th century B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
Featuring a leaf-shaped double-edged iron blade, shallow fullers tapering to a point, short straight quillons, a soldered two-part grip with ridged middle bulge, the flat pommel surmounted with two spherical finials. 255 grams, 31 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
This type of dagger presents a plate handle system, very similar to that of the Fronton sword and bilobular types, but unlike these, it develops to an antenna terminal on the pommel. It is a type of dagger that is documented in peninsular necropoleis of Hispania from the Iron Age II, such as La Mercadera, Requijana de Gormaz or Uxama. It is type V of short antennae daggers according the classification of F. Quesada Sanz, a possible ancestor of the Roman pugio.
