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LOT 1452
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (430 grams, 10.6 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with petals radiating from the filler-hole; 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 1452
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Scythian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 7th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Each with a slender, lozenge-shaped blade and a socket extending near the tip, base of the socket with a side lug. 130 grams total, 37-57 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for the longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites. -
Greek Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Including triangular-section sockettedtype, triangular barbed type, tanged leaf-shaped type and others. 104 grams total, 23-58 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Cased Roman to Medieval Arrow Teaching Aid Collection
1st century A.D.-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising: a Roman ballista bolt with a pyramidal head; a 15th century iron swallowtail arrowhead; three iron medieval crossbow bolts, with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two medieval ballista bolts with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two triangular-shaped arrowheads, with pyramidal head; a triangular Eastern Roman bladed arrowhead with a slightly raised mid-rib; a small Anglo-Saxon arrowhead with lozenge form blade and round socket; all mounted on reconstructed modern shafts with their feathered directional lugs, and presented in a wooden display box. 3.83 kg total, 104 x 22 x 9.5 cm including case
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Crossbow and bows were the protagonist of the 100 Years War between France and England. The crossbow, a bow fixed at its centre to a wooden stock, was a formidable weapon used by the Genoese crossbowmen, mainly in French service; its heavy bolt could easily penetrate a shield or armour breast plate at close range. The longbow, mainly used by the Welsh archers, was able to pierce armours at greater distance. During the reign of Edward III, the long bow distance was estimated to be 400 yards. The capability of the English and Welsh archers enabled the English to secure a victory over the powerful French Cavalry at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt.
