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_900x900.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
_200x200.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
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LOT 0936
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (662 grams, 15.5 cm).
Piriform body with vertical ribs and impressed roundels across the whole surface, domed filler-hole, 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 0936
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
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Byzantine Gold Ring with Square Carnelian Bezel
8th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
With frond detailing to the shoulders, square bezel with hatched ornament, inset carnelian gemstone. 9.34 grams, 23.69 mm overall, 16.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Ex private collection, acquired in the 1980s. with Christie's, New York, 'Ancient Jewellery', 11 December 2003, no.455. Private European collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's pages. -
Post Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Formed as a wire rod in a cruciform design of four looped arms, with tightly-wound wire forming the panels and external loops; suspension loop and ring. 7.1 grams, 63 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With flared cross-piece, pierced lug to reverse. 8.1 grams, 59 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
