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LOT 1403
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (759 grams, 12 cm).
Piriform body with segmented shoulder and impressed roundels, 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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1403
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
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Viking Age Baltic Bearded Iron Axehead
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With short curved blade and spur beneath the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with extended edges to the reverse. 360 grams, 12 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors and sailors who were involved in several wars and alliances with the Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape. -
Luristan Copper Flat Axe
Circa 13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Formed with a squared butt and flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 168 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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Medieval Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With geometric design on a hatched background and discoid pad to rear. 7.31 grams, 26.60 mm overall, 22.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2 , USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Private collection, Suffolk, UK. Property of a Kent lady collector.
