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LOT 1126
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (980 grams, 15 cm).
Irregular pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, impressed rings and vertical bars to the shoulder; 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 1126
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
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WWII 'RAF' Bomber (Mosquito) Helmet, Map and Whistle Group
1941 A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Comprising: a type C leather open face helmet wired for type B communication, oxygen mask with hose and alloy-framed flying goggles with padded leather and rubber band, the frames stamped 'Stadium Made in England Patent Reg Design'; the helmet with webbing chin strap, buckles and stud fasteners, chamois leather lining bearing ink stamp and handwritten 'Adams Progressive' 'No.75-78', plug holder with paper label, tubular oxygen mask inlet marked 'MLD 18' 'MC253D', microphone plug and hose with brass connector stamped 'D/156'; together with an RAF flight map and an RAF 'ditching' whistle of classic snail type with Air Ministry's crown markings and reference numbers '23/230' and '293/14/L1795'; the helmet mounted on a wooden 'mannequin' head. 6.1 kg, 31 cm
Acquired from J C Militaria and Historic Flying Clothing Company. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copies of listings for each item.
This type of helmet and system was introduced in 1941 A.D. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
Comprising arrowheads of various types, mainly including leaf-shaped and barbed types, with midribs. 257 grams total, 12-18 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector. -
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Luristan Bronze Butted Axe
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
The cylindrical shaft decorated with three bosses, blade with diverging edges, the upper sides of the hole and part of the blade decorated with a dotted pattern. 375 grams, 17.5 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The earliest Luristan bronze weapons, particularly daggers, axes, and adzes, share many similarities in form with Mesopotamian artefacts of the 3rd millennium BC. The unadorned weapons, especially the axes, adzes and picks, were made using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds with a core inserted into them to form the socket for the shaft.
