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LOT 1436
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (422 grams, 11.2 cm).
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, two rows of ring-and-dot decoration to the upper body, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 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'.
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 1436
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
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Luristan Bronze Adze-Axe
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With central shaft hole and blade set at a right angle. 1.25 kg, 25.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The adze-axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age ancient cultures. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes - for war and work. As a tool, it functioned in woodwork in fabricating a variety of objects and as a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form make it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With short foliate blade, shallow midrib and long socketted shaft with fastening holes. 112 grams, 22.8 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger Blade
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Lentoid in section, triangular in plan with rounded tip, short tang, two holes to the shoulder for attachment. 102 grams, 22 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
