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LOT 1011
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/8 in. (730 grams, 13.5 cm).
A large bulbous missile with domed filler-hole and impressed circle-and-dot motifs to the shoulder. [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 1011
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Byzantine Rock Crystal Pendant with Cross and Christ Riding a Donkey
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Biconvex in section with ribbed suspension loop; obverse with profile figure of Mary on a donkey with infant Jesus in her arms; reverse with voided Maltese cross. 11.7 grams, 34 mm
Ex Michael Denis O’Hara in the 1970s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12402-225432. 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 Pendant
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Showing a nimbate figure in orans pose to the centre, integral suspension loop. 5.49 grams, 37.7 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Byzantine Bronze Patrix Group
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising: a flat patrix of a hound with billets and zigzag detailing to the body curved foreleg, tail and hindleg; similar patrix of a feline with beaded collar and punched mane detailing, legs extended; mounted on a custom-made presentation stand. 410 grams total, 13.7 cm including stand
Ex London gallery, 1990s. with old labels to the reverse. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Patrices were used to create thin sheet-silver or gold appliqués which were used to decorate wooden items, ritual items, clothing, horse-harness and other items.
