Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1507

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

5 in. (594 grams, 12.5 cm).

Piriform body with a domed mouth, a circumferential hatched band on the shoulder; 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 1507

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £91

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Elamite Bronze Parade Macehead with Animals
    Elamite Bronze Parade Macehead with Animals
    2nd millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £500

    Tubular sleeve with ribbed collars to the mouth and shank; scooped upper end narrowing to the top; three vertical lines of conical spikes with interstitial crawling lions, rams' heads at the top, ibex heads below the lower collar; mounted on a custom-made stand. 519 grams, 19 cm (647 grams total, 26 cm including stand)



    Kuizenga collection, the Netherlands, acquired Hamburg 22 December 1995. 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.

    Lot Details

  • Turco-Mongol Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    13th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Piriform in profile with domed mouth, impressed line and dot decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 54 grams, 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.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

    Piriform body with dome mouth, impressed annulets to the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 570 grams, 12.2 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.

    Lot Details

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