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LOT 1475
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 5/8 in. (722 grams, 14.2 cm).
A ceramic missile, piriform in profile with lattice pattern to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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'.
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 1475
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
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Carolingian Iron Spur with Silver Studs
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
With D-section arms, attachment loop, prick spur with two bands of applied studs. 150 grams, 18 cm
Ex B Posey collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card. -
Old Babylonian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
1800-1500 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Comprising paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib. 171 grams total, 53-78 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
These kind of arrowheads were typical of the Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. This simple form was popular throughout and show comparative common finds in the Bible Lands. -
Roman Military Bronze Cavalry Spur
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Crescentic in plan with carinated profile, discoid lug to each end, sturdy square-section ferrous stud to the centre. 45 grams, 64 mm
Private collection, UK, formed 1980s-1990s.
