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LOT 1385
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (448 grams, 10.7 cm).
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, tongue-shaped petals radiating from the filler-hole, each with an annulet and a ring-and-dot motif, 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 1385
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
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Luristan Mace Head
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Of cylindrical shape, the upper section with alternating rectangular panels and vertical rows of three prominent spikes, short cylindrical shaft edged at top and bottom. 294 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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Luristan Bronze Dagger
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
With ogival blade featuring a square sectioned mid-rib, tubular handle with two horizontal grooves of circular shape and disc pommel. 338 grams, 31.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The dagger represents an uncommon type with its disk pommel and short grip but with a foliate blade of a spearhead. Similar types were already visible in the Mesopotamian reliefs of early 19th century, but pommel disc daggers and foliate blades are a combination that was archaeologically documented on Caucasian daggers until the 9th century B.C., employed by the Urartian warriors. -
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan with integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept a panel of bone to each face forming the grip, mounting pegs at neck. 279 grams, 35.7 cm
Ex British private collection, Buckinghamshire, UK. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.BA22; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
