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LOT 1392
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (300 grams, 10.1 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the body decorated with vertical palm leaf motifs; 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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LOT 1392
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
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Medieval Iron Horse Snaffle Bit Collection
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Two snaffle bits with curb strap ring to each end, mounted on a fabric-covered display board with titling panel. 467 grams total, 17.5-20 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, short neck and domed mouth, four raised lugs to the body, bands of impressed dots in-between, raised neck with impressed crescents; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 357 grams, 14.7 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
This 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. -
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.
