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LOT 1449
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 5/8 in. (484 grams, 11.8 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, shoulders decorated with row of geometric patterns, 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; the shape finds correspondence with a fire grenade in the Kars Museum, no.09.03.2001.
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 1449
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
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Large Marlik Type Bronze Socketted Spearhead with Blood Channels
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
Comprising a triangular blade with prominent midrib, long split socket with two piercings for attachment and lower part decorated by horizontal circular grooves. 336 grams, 48 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According to Khorasani, this spearhead belongs to the type VIII of his classification, characterised by a well-projecting midrib and long folded socket. The triangular blade is related to the subtype 2. Similar spearhead was excavated by Dr Negahban in the Royal Cemetery of Marlik (tomb 2, trench III D). -
Wavy Blood Channelled Bronze Short-Sword
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
A North-Western Persian dagger or short-sword blade with rounded shoulders and thick mid-rib with undulated blood-channels running to the blade tip; short tang with fastening hole. 258 grams, 34 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 BC.'. -
Viking Danish Iron Broad Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Of asymmetrical profile with reinforced curved cutting edge, triangular-section socket with flanking spurs to upper and lower edges. 370 grams, 18.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
