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LOT 1453
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (435 grams, 11.1 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with radiating vertical bands with deeply incised dots; 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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1453
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
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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. -
Luristan Bronze Armour Belt with Double Scroll Terminals
9th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A broad hammered military belt or cuirass band with plain surface, the terminals shaped as a double spiral ornament, holes in the centre of both ends for fastening. 330 grams, 22 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
The rich and noble aristocrats of Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and used magnificent bronze armours. For metal sheets used for quiver plaques and bronze protective belts or shields, they used the hammering technique (Čakoškāri). -
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Migration Period Iron Sword with Bronze Pommel
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
A spatha with a double-edged parallel-sided blade, battle nicks to both cutting edges; long tang with a fastening rivet in situ; small trapezoidal bronze pommel. 707 grams, 91 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an 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.12040-216429.
The spatha, often with an elegantly decorated hilt with golden elements, was characterised by a relatively light handle so that the centre of gravity of the weapon was moved towards the tip. The evolution of the 'barbarian' long sword in the west, during the invasions, began around the 5th century.
