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LOT 0953
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/2 in. (1.16 kg, 16.5 cm).
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; circumferential concentric lines to the shoulder and beneath the neck enclosing bands of radiating lines; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and 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 0953
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
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Large Byzantine Gold Ring with Christ Engraved on a Green Chalcedony Gemstone
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
With round-section hoop and discoid stepped bezel, inset chalcedony cloison with nimbate bust of Christ. 10.07 grams, 26.22 mm overall, 20.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)
UK collection, acquired 1971. with Christie's, London, 5 July 2023, no.61. Accompanied by a positive scientific statement from Striptwist Limited, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 220507. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12691-235717. 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 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform in profile with domed mouth; the lower body decorated with striated almond-shaped motifs, a band of rectangles divided with lines above; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.03 kg, 16.5 cm
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.
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. -
Roman and Byzantine Ceramic Oil Lamp Collection
4th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising: a squat lamp with short nozzle, raised scrolls surrounding the hole, raised four-petalled flower motif surrounding the filler hole with raised bosses, the base with concentric circles and a maker's mark; a slipper-shaped lamp with sharply raised linear decoration and Greek inscription on the upper body. 173 grams total, 9.2-10.4 cm
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
