Loading, please wait...
LOT 1408
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (444 grams, 11.3 cm).
Piriform body with impressed ribs to the equator, band of roundels to the shoulder, 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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 1408
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
-
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
With triangular section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, lateral flanges to the socket. 758 grams, 18.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The axe belongs to a category of bearded axes. The skeggöks (bearded axes) had a long edge, designed to split tree-trunks into planks and beams. Usually the beard was at the bottom end of the blade, but some axes did sometimes have extra long blades. -
Greek Bronze Socketted Arrowhead
Circa 4th-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Triangular in section with barbed blades and shallow socket. 1.5 grams, 32 mm
Acquired from Red House Antiques, York, UK, in 2008. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
Circa 13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Including barbed, leaf-shaped and other types, all tanged. 154 grams total, 4.3-10.8 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
