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LOT 1163
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (500 grams, 12 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised vertical flanges to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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 1163
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
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Luristan Bronze Handled Dagger
Circa 1000 B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Having a narrow triangular blade with gentle midrib and narrow point, scooped shoulders, long flat-section tang with lobe finial. 123 grams, 35 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The type of the present dirk or dagger corresponds to type IX of Medvedskaya classification. The type consists of a bronze blade with organic handle, possibly made of bone or wood, and a long tang, which was usually bent at the extremity. According to Moorey, the exact dating of these pieces is uncertain. -
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Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Each a scrolled bar formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 19.6 grams total, 64-66 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier. -
Greek and Other Bronze Tanged Arrowhead Collection
Circa 12th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising three tanged Luristan arrowheads, having elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft and barbed shoulders; eleven Greek paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat and wide mid-rib, the blade shaped to a point; a small Persian or Greek foliate arrowhead with a long tang; a flat and foliate bronze arrowhead. 141 grams total, 49-85 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
In Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. The Luristan examples seem to belong to the type V, subcategory C of triangular arrowheads according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban.
