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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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LOT 1403
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
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Viking Age Bearded Iron Axehead
11th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With broad curved blade and pointed chin, broad neck, deep socket with lateral flanges. 698 grams, 15.5 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
During the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead
Circa 13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Including barbed, leaf-shaped and other types, all tanged. 196 grams total, 13-17.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Drum-shaped body with stepped profile, bands of impressed rosette and other detailing, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 914 grams, 14.6 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'.
This piece was a sort of a ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations, even in Burma.
