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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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Medieval Bronze Archer's Ring
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Incuse geometric detail to the hoop, flange with wheel motif. 10.19 grams, 34.62 mm overall, 20.76 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24)
English collection, early 2000s. Ex central London gallery. -
Amlash Type Spearhead
12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Long, parallel-sided with deep midrib, broad tip, round-section neck with V-shaped recess to each face and thick square-section tang. 468 grams, 47 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
This weapon belongs to the type 1 of the spear-head classification of Khorasani, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 BC. -
Roman Iron Spatha Sword
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Comprising a wide double-edged blade of Illerup-Wyhl typology; blood channels and later inlays to both sides. 652 grams, 83 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Specimens of Roman spathae of 2nd-3rd centuries have been found in large numbers in Danish bogs (Nydam, Straubing, Thorsberg, Illerup). The Straubing-Nydam type shows straight and convergent cutting edges, the width of which is reduced along the blade.
