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LOT 1574
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 in. (836 grams, 14.8 cm).
Piriform in profile with narrow point, and deep shoulder and domed mouth; incised circumferential band to the equator, band of impressed ring-and-dot motifs to the shoulder. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a London, UK, gentleman's collection of ancient pottery and artefacts, 1990s.
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.
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 1574
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
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Cased Luristan Arrowhead Collection
Circa 11th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Including leaf-shaped and barbed types in a glazed frame. 1.1 kg, 33.5 x 38.5 cm
Ex G. While collection, South Wales, 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Marlik Bronze Spearhead
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Elongated tapering triangular blade, with broad midrib and squared shoulders slightly rounded at the corners, rectangular sectioned tang with a bent button end. 387 grams, 49 cm
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.
The spearhead belongs to the sub-type A of the spearhead classification of Khorasani. Similar specimens, now in the National Museum of Iran, Teheran, were excavated in the Royal Cemetery of Marlik and found in tomb 5 trench 8 of that Necropolis. -
Amlash Bronze Spearhead
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A foliate blade with central rib and slender shoulders, short rectangular shaft and tang. 432 grams, 43.5 cm
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.
The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the spear-head classification of Khorasani, mainly originating from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C.
