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LOT 1033
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (423 grams, 11.2 cm).
Comprising a rounded body with short neck and domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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. Apart 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1033
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
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Byzantine Gilt Bronze Altar Cross with Two Medallions
11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Hollow-formed cross fragment with low-relief ornament; obverse with facing veiled female bust within a ropework tondo, cruciform design to the lower arm and second tondo with facing bearded bust, foliage to the lateral arms; reverse with geometric saltire bands; knop finials to the arms (two present) and slots for attachment of additional features. 153 grams, 13.8 cm
with Rupert Wace Ltd. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Gold Marriage Ring with Facing Couple
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
With integral discoid bezel displaying a male and female facing intaglio bust, Greek text below 'OMONOIA', (concord. agreement, harmony). 10.51 grams, 23.35 mm overall, 19.57 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
From the late Alison Barker collection, 1970-1990. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12531-231455. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Integral loop and punched ring-and-dot decoration. 4.53 grams, 36 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
