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LOT 1538
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/2 in. (564 grams, 14.1 cm).
Piriform body with domed mouth, impressed linear decoration on 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 1538
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
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Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Triangular double-edged blade with flat midrib and short tang with flattened end. 211 grams, 32.5 cm
Acquired in the 1990s. 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. -
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Roman Imperial Bronze Legionary Helmet
Late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39,000
A relatively heavy legionary helmet (cassis) of ‘Imperial Gallic Type’ with deep rounded bowl, simple C-shaped cut-outs for the ears, integral flared horizontal neck-guard extending some way along the sides, two corrugated ribs to the occipital area at the rear, intermitted by two bronze rivets, and four corrugated embossed 'wings' or prominent curved eyebrows flanking three riveted bosses arranged vertically; three studs on the rear of the neck-guard for attaching suspension loops to the preserved clasps of the cheek-guards (bucculae); hinged bracket at each temple once attaching the cheek-guard; embossed beaded brow band running from one ear opening to the other; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.03 kg, 26.5 cm front to back
Ex John Moore, York, UK, 1997. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 12789-240372. 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.
This early category of helmets was characterised by a hemispherical calotte and a slightly sloping neck guard. They were fitted with a pair of prominent curved eyebrows (symbolising the wings of Jupiter's thunderbolts) flanking rivetted bosses. -
Mesopotamian 'Chrysler Museum' Bronze Macehead with Incised Decoration
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Tubular in plan with low-relief braided panel and undulating lines; scooped profile at each end and securing collar; mounted on a custom-made stand. 647 grams total, 25.6 cm including stand
Ex Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia, accession no.NP.68.62.M. with ArtAncient, 2010. Private collection, London, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
