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LOT 1387
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (431 grams, 10.7 cm).
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, petalled decoration to the upper body with pellets, 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 1387
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
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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. -
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. -
Luristan Bronze Blade
1200-1100 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £130
With a long pointed triangular blade and a short tang, two rivet holes at the base of the blade. 193 grams, 36.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr. Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150–1050 BC.'
