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LOT 0936
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (417 grams, 11 cm).
Piriform in profile with narrow point and domed mouth; rosettes separated by vertical lines to the upper body; 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 0936
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Byzantine Bronze Trade Weight Set
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Graduated group of barrel-shaped and columnar-type weights with impressed saltire, ring-and-dot and other motifs to the flat faces. 90.15 grams total, 9-23 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with NP
7th-9th century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
With granule cluster to each shoulder, lozenge bezel with incuse 'NP' monogram flanked by pellets. 3.23 grams, 20.11 mm overall, 17.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, UK. 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. -
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Byzantine Bronze Lamp with Stand
5th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £1,800 - 2,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Comprising a squat nozzle with recessed disc finial, hinged lid shaped as a hare looking over its tail, basal disc with square hole to accept a stand, curled arms at the rear forming the handle with thumb-pad formed as a perching bird (one partly absent); separate stand with tripod legs and spike finial. 870 grams total, 12.5-19.5 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12688-236229. 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.
