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LOT 1398
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (459 grams, 13 cm).
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, circumferential band of impressed rosettes to the equator. [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 1398
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
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Luristan Bronze Spearhead with Circumferential Rings
9th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With broad leaf-shaped blade and tapering tubular socket, four graduated horizontal rings securing the split socket. 199 grams total, 26.2 cm including stand
Ex property of a North London, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
The spear belongs to the type VIII classified by Khorasani (spearheads with well-projecting midribs and long folded sockets) and more specifically to subtype C (with leaf-shaped blade and short hollow socket). Usually the willow-leaf blade has an almost straight shoulder base and a wide, flat midrib tapering towards the point. -
Western Asiatic White Veined Grey Stone Mace Head
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Barrel-shaped in profile with vertical socket expanding towards the base, rounded neck. 356 grams, 83 mm
Ex London gentleman's collection, 1990s. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With ovate blade, central round rib and curved shoulders, the cylindrical long shaft widening towards the end, encasing a rectangular tang with bent tip. 351 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Similar spearheads were excavated in Marlik. Negahban stated that based upon the evidence on archaeological finds from West-North Iran, this type of spearhead may be dated to the final centuries of 2nd millennium B.C.
