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LOT 1378
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (650 grams, 13.3 cm).
Piriform body with zigzag band to the equator and impressed roundels to the shoulder, tiered neck, 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 1378
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
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Viking Age Iron Stirrup with Silver Inlay
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Comprising an ovoid body with a rectangular void to accept a strap; the lower section broad with a rib to the underside, the upper flat in section with silver inlay in geometric forms to one face. 244 grams, 16 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. -
Greek Style Reproduction Helmet
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £416
Modelled on the Corinthian form with broad nasal and fixed chek-protectors, rolled edges. 709 grams, 24.6 cm
Private collection, UK. -
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Migration Period Iron Spatha Sword with Garnet Inlaid Hilt
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,800
Comprising a double-edged parallel-sided blade showing battle nicks on both cutting edges, medium length tapering tang; lentoid-shaped lower-guard with inset garnets to one side; accompanied by an amber sword bead with a bronze stud with garnet inlay. 753 grams total, 1.9-80 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no. 12063-217911.
This type of swords (cf. Lebedinsky 2001, p.117) usually had stones hanging from the pommel or hilt, like the one preserved here. This typology was widespread in central Europe by the Huns and there are also specimens attested in Gaul in the 5th century.
