Loading, please wait...
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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
RELATED LOTS
-
Byzantine Bronze Openwork Key
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
Formed with a hollow bow open to the sides and with lateral struts, each plate pierced with seven equal-arm crosses; pierced lug above for suspension; barrel-type shank with rectangular bit pierced with two similar crosses. 59 grams, 87 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The repeated use of the cross symbol may indicate an ecclesiastical use. -
Byzantine Silver Offering Dish with Chi Rho and Inscription
Circa 11th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £11,000
With rounded underside and flange rim; tondo with incised symmetrical vinescroll with bunches of grapes enclosing central disc with niello-filled Chi Rho flanked by alpha and omega; legend to the rim in capitals: '+++ ΥΠΕΡ ΑΝΑΠΑΥϹΕΩϹ ΕΥΧΗϹ ΟΝ ΟΙΔΕΝ ΟΘϹ ΤΑ ΟΝΟΜΑΤΑ' (For the eternal rest of him who had knowledge in the name of the Lord). 395 grams, 23.5 cm wide
From a European family collection formed in the 1990s; thence by descent to a UK gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report of Dr. Raffaele D’Amato This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11963-210867.
The decorative apparatus of this plate could be associated with Eastern Roman art of the 11-12th century A.D., although we cannot exclude an earlier dating. -
Byzantine Bronze Weight Collection
Circa 8th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Including mainly barrel-shaped types. 225 grams total, 11-26 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, London, UK. Ex North London collection, 1990s.
