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LOT 0934
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (513 grams, 12.1 cm).
Piriform body with scaphoid flanges to the upper body, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
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 Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
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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LOT 0934
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
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Byzantine Bronze Pendant with Angel and Inscription
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Claw-shaped with cross and angel motif to the obverse; an inscription reading '+O KAT...Y' to the reverse. 7.9 grams, 39 mm
Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. From a gentleman's private collection.
While one side is engraved with an angel with a cross-staff, the other side is engraved with the beginning of Psalm 91 (90): + Ο ΚΑΤΟΙΚΟΝ ΕΝ ΒΟΗΘΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΥΨΙϹΤΟΙ…(He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High…). -
Early Byzantine Gold Ring with Pearls and Later Cloisonne Enamelled Figure
Italy, 7th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Flat hoop with beaded wire borders and braided filigree ornament; discoid box bezel with seed pearls on a wire to the outer edge; upper face a (modern) cloisonné enamel panel depicting Mary in orans posture. 6.37 grams, 23.84 mm overall, 18.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
From a collection formed in Antwerp, Belgium. Acquired in France in the early 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue information page. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform body with vertical ribbing along the whole length, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 556 grams, 13.1 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. 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.
