Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0967

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

5 5/8 in. (611 grams, 14.3 cm).

Piriform body with bands of impressed tongue-shaped motifs, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade.

Provenance

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'.

Literature

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 Gefäße 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.

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0967

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £169

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
    Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
    5th-7th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170

    Mixed group of trade weights including cuboid, polyhedral and other types; one cuboid resembling a die with four faces bearing four spots and two faces bearing two spots. 326 grams total, 12-21 mm



    Acquired in the 1970s. European private collection.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    10th-13th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £156

    Piriform body decorated with concentric circles, with sphero-conical filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 12.8 cm



    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.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Expanding-Arm Cross
    Byzantine Bronze Expanding-Arm Cross
    6th-7th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Each arm with raised Y-shaped median panels and two bulb finials; shank below broken. 20.2 grams, 51 mm



    Belgium collection, 1980s. From the collection of an London antiquarian.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list