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LOT 1027
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/2 in. (725 grams, 14.1 cm).
A piriform missile with domed filler-hole, bands of hatched lines to the upper body, 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1027
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
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Byzantine Silver Ring with Cross
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
Comprising a facetted hoop and integral chi-rho Christogram. 2.46 grams, 21.74 mm overall, 17.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Blue Glass Bead Necklace with Gold Elements
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Restrung designer necklace with blue-glass drawn annular, biconvex and other beads with eight later rosette plaques, each hollow with floral detailing to both faces and a sheet gold surface; modern clasp. 19 grams, 46 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Ex property of an East London, UK, gentleman. Property of a Californian, USA, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Lead Pendant with Simeon Stylites
12th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Discoid with integral loop, tondo with figural scene of Simeon Stylites standing on his column, two worshippers at the base and two angels above; legend to the rim. 22 grams, 48 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
