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LOT 0771
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (145 grams, 77 mm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, decorated with floral pattern on 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; this type shows a similar decoration with the fire grenade in the Kars Museum, in Turkey, inv.no.20.09.2009.
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. 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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0771
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, decorated with two circumferential bands of circlets; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 351 grams, 96 mm
Acquired 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'.
Apart 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Byzantine Gold Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Of capsule form, possibly an amulet case; openwork filigree body and domed terminals with apex granules with filigree collars; three suspension loops above, each with a filigree collar. 0.76 grams, 15 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Byzantine Bronze Buckle Plate with Christ and Saints
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising tongue-shaped plaque with three low-relief busts within scrollwork; two pierced lugs on the reverse. 13.5 grams, 40 mm
From a 1990s collection. Property of an Essex gentleman.
The type belongs to the group of buckles with internal clipeus, according to Baldini-Lippolis. The ‘clipei’ of the belt buckles with figurative motifs show a rather summary rendering of the subjects, which were mainly created by impressing and engraving. Our buckle has a notable parallel with a similar specimen from Baltimore, with a bust of Christ on the clipeus.
