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LOT 1448
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (396 grams, 10.6 cm).
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, vertical bands of annulets 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.
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 1448
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising triangular types with thick midrib, heater-shaped, leaf-shaped, and other types, one with a long tang and barbed head. 312 grams total, 76-162 mm
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
One category of the represented arrowheads has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more triangular. Another form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, and a narrow leaf-shaped blade, with squared shoulders. -
Viking Period Iron Sword Brazil Nut Pommel and Cross Guard
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Comprising: pommel scaphoid in plan with biconvex profile, slot to underside to accept the tang (no corresponding hole at the top); lower guard rectangular in section with broad slot to lower face, rounded ends; Oakeshott type B / Geibig type 14 and 18. 330 grams total, 6.5-18.3 cm
From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Amlash Type Bronze Spear-Head
12th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Leaf-shaped blade and rectangular-section shank developing from the raised midrib, flared below with a rectangular-section tang. 300 grams, 36.5cm
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. 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 from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C.
