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_900x900.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
_200x200.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
LOT 1413
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 5/8 in. (484 grams, 11.8 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, shoulders decorated with row of geometric patterns, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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 Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16; the shape finds correspondence with a fire grenade in the Kars Museum, no.09.03.2001.
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 1413
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
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Cased British Military 'Published' Artefact Collection
Late 17th-early 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising: breech and shoe, hat, belt ands stock/nap bronze buckles; clasps for pouches; a clay pipe; spare flint holders; a flint for musket; a flint for pistol; a bronze spur; military buttons for Royal Marine, Artillery, Coldstream and Dragoon Guards from 1795 to 1820; an officer’s whistle; a bayonet holder. 1.36 kg total, case: 30.5 x 22 x 6.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Various military items have been recovered from the military sites of the Napoleonic Wars. Buttons are the most common items, made of copper, with some signs of gilding and silvering. Also small buckles are frequent finds, as well as musket balls and musket parts. These latter are rare because the individual soldiers were responsible for the care and maintenance of their fire-arms. -
Viking Age Ugro-Finnian Battle Axehead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A hand-forged iron axehead with square chin to the blade, flanges raised to the socket, rear round hammer-head. 200 grams, 15.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade. -
Medieval 'Published' Iron Spur Collection
Circa 13th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Comprising: a rowel spur of early 13th century date with short neck; a 14th century U-shaped rowel spur with straight neck, five star rowel and squared terminals with fittings and a buckle; a 17th century drop neck spur with multi-pointed rowel, the arched body decorated with transversal lines and bilobate terminals. 280 grams total, 13.2-16.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
By the late 13th century A.D., rowel spurs in the West had virtually replaced the old single prick point type spur. The rowel spurs were more effective as a goad and at the same time less damaging to the flank of the horse.
