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LOT 1587
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 5/8 in. (539 grams, 11.8 cm).
Piriform in profile with band of impressed rosettes to the shoulder, mouth chipped and partly absent. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 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 1587
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
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Marlik Bronze Spearhead
14th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With rounded shoulders and square-section mid-rib running to the tip; short tang. 280 grams, 38.5 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 blade belongs to the type VI of Marlik spearheads according to the Khorasani classification, with a long blade and a short tang, slightly rounded shoulders and pronounced midrib. Such spearheads have been excavated from the Marlik Royal Cemetery by Dr Negahban in Tomb 15, Trench XIII G. -
Roman 'Consular' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Fusiform shot with casting nipple at each end, low-relief legend 'COS' to one face. 38 grams, 36 mm
From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Medieval Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Applied boss to the base of the hoop, triangular extension with foliate scrolls. 2.77 grams, 28.57 mm overall, 19.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
From an English collection formed before 2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
