Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

A spherical ceramic missile with stepped shoulder and impressed annulets, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 494 grams, 12.5 cm



From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s. 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'.

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.

In the form of an advancing stallion on a plinth, holding its head high and gazing to the right; short standing mane with incised detailing, and a long tail extending to the plinth; recessed eyes, likely once inlaid, drilled nostrils and open mouth; the plinth joined at a right angle to two connected rings atop three parallel rods, the rods joined at the bottom to an arching bar with side lugs. 603 grams, 28.5 cm



Acquired from Toufic Arakji, Hamburg, Germany, 14 January 1997. with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an academic 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 number no.12160-218627.

This magnificent chariot fitting was cast in one piece, probably made in arsenical copper in Mesopotamia in the Early Dynastic Period (ED). The reins were connected to the head harness and then passed through the rein ring, that was connected to a yoke pole. The purpose of the rein ring was to prevent the multiple reins snarling and also added an element of control for the driver. The lower concave bar was tied onto the pole by rope or leather, while the hooks served to secure the ends. These rein rings were not only practical instruments, but also ornamental elements of royal vehicles. A well-known example of this type is a terret crowned by an equid figure that was associated with Pu-abi’s sledge in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, today at the British Museum, inv.121438.

A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth, bands of impressed herringbone patterns to the shoulder and waist, piriform lower body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 463 grams, 17 cm



From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.

This piece was a type of 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.