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LOT 1014
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (441 grams, 11.5 cm).
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the body with wavy lines; 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 1014
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body decorated from concentric circles, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.01 kg, 15 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Dove
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
With a slender hoop and discoid bezel, intaglio motif of a standing dove facing right. 1.90 grams, 20.12 mm overall, 15.42 x 17.65 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Bird
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Slender hoop expanding to an oval bezel with hatched border, intaglio motif of a stylised water bird facing right. 2.00 grams, 19.48 mm overall, 16.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
