Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1389
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (564 grams, 11.3 cm).
Piriform body with band of impressed roundels to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
Provenance
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'.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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 1389
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
RELATED LOTS
-
Large Romano-British Bronze Catapult Fitting
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Substantial cast cupola with socket to the apex; possibly from a field artillery piece. 110 grams, 67 mm
Reputed to have been excavated near Viables in Hampshire at the end of the 19th century. From the estate of the late Jennifer Simmonds. Acquired from Jacobs & Hunt auctioneers, Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
The circular umbo does not correspond to any known central shield boss, as it also lacks the lower edge; instead, it finds a good correspondence with the circular bosses that reinforced the lower and upper frame of a catapult, equipped with a central bronze cover. -
Greek and Scythian Arrowhead Collection
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Including triangular-section and leaf-shaped socketted types. 16.1 grams total, 18-34 mm
Ex G. White collection, 1980s-1990s. -
Large Medieval Leaf-Shaped Iron Arrowhead
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Comprising a broad scaphoid blade and bolster to the neck, round-section tang. 36.8 grams, 16.5 cm
Acquired York Antiques, Yorkshire, UK, in 2012. Property of a Kent lady collector. Accompanied by an original certificate of authenticity signed by Garry Edwards.
