Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1465

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

5 5/8 in. (612 grams, 14.3 cm).

Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; bands of concentric circles to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From 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.

Literature

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.

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1465

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Achaemenid Akinakes with Horse-Head Hilt and Gold Chain
    Achaemenid Akinakes with Horse-Head Hilt and Gold Chain
    6th-4th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100

    The upper part of the hilt shaped as a horse-head with an applied sheet-gold mane, wearing a gold bridle of Greek typology adorned with rosettes, mouthpiece formed of wire with garnet beads, and a large garnet cabochon set at the front of the bridle; the upper hilt connected to the straight blade with a restored grip; accompanied by a perspex scabbard with original gold sheet attached; possibly a marriage; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 392 grams, 36.5 cm (473 grams total, 37.6 cm high including stand)



    Private collection of a London gentleman, acquired between 1965–2020. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12619-235454. 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.

    The akinakes was the short dagger of the Scythians and the Achaemenid Persians. Many examples of this characteristic weapon have been found in every corner of the Persian Empire. The hilt was often made of bronze, gold or gilded. It is visible in the hands of the Medes and Persians in the reliefs of Persepolis. These weapons, straight and double-edged, were about 35 cm long. The scabbards could be covered with gold, hung from the belt at the waist and, according to Herodotus, attached to the right thigh with a thong.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Dagger Group
    Luristan Bronze Dagger Group
    Early 1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £143

    Comprising three dagger blades, one triangular with three fastening rivets on the ricasso, one with long tapered blade, rounded shoulders and long narrow tang, the third with a slender blade. 264 grams total, 20-29 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. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Pompey the Great Battle of Munda Lead Slingshot
    Roman Pompey the Great 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
    1st century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £546

    Biconical lead slingshot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). 43.6 grams, 40 mm



    Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, like our specimen.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list