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LOT 1479
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (427 grams, 11 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body divided into segments radiating from the filler-hole, each with impressed chevron and annulet decoration; 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 1479
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
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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. 126 grams total, 35-62 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
In the Greek warfare archery mainly employed 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 also found on the Greek sites. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A piriform ceramic missile with band of S-scrolls to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 533 grams, 12 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. -
Medieval Iron Incendiary Fire Arrowhead with Pierced Cross
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
The wide blade with an incised cross motif, pierced through at the end of each arm, long tang with a collar. 37 grams, 12.1 cm
Acquired on the French art market. From the private collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman.
The central void was included to allow cloth soaked in tallow to be bound around the arrowhead; this was ignited before shooting.
