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LOT 1418
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (575 grams, 15.5 cm).
Biconvex body with impressed bands to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, gesso and painted surface, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade.
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.14.09.2009.
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 1418
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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'The Customs House' Tudor Inscribed Iron Hammer-Head
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Octagonal in section with one tapering end and one flat, circular end; square punch marks to one face in a pattern: '10B'. 2.82 kg, 24.2 cm
Found Thames foreshore, Customs House, London, UK, on Thursday 9th November 2006. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LON-D6B085. -
Luristan Bronze Macehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Of cylindrical shape, the upper section with alternating rectangular panels and vertical rows of three prominent spikes, short cylindrical shaft edged at top and bottom. 244 grams, 13.5 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, before 1988.
The mace was probably the oldest weapon used by humans. This weapon has been used in different ways and it was probably considered the main tool in the civilisation of the Kassites because of the high number of maces found in this area. Bronze maces in Luristan probably had wooden handles, although most of them unfortunately have been eroded and severely deteriorated. According to Khorasani, such maces were realised with lost-wax process. -
Large Romano-British Bronze Military Boss
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Substantial cast cupola with dimple to the apex, reverse with two ferrous attachment spikes; possibly from a field artillery piece. 174 grams total, 74 mm wide
Reputed to have been excavated near Viables in Hampshire at the end of the 19th century. From the estate of the late Jennifer Simmonds. Acquired from Jacobs & Hunt auctioneers, Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
