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LOT 1522
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (387 grams, 11.5 cm).
Piriform body with domed mouth, four raised lugs to the upper body with a hatched band beneath, the field decorated with X-motifs with impressed dots between the arms; 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 1522
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
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Luristan Bronze Spearhead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With leaf-shaped blade, central rib and rounded shoulders, the lozenge-section shaft flared and the square-section tang with pointed tip. 357 grams, 39 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. -
Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Impacted Slingshot Group
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Each biconical in form, some with reserved legends reading DEXAI 'take this', deformed by impact. 190 grams total, 24-29 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called in Greek Molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι), and in Latin glandes; the former indicating the material ‘lead’, the latter the shape ‘acorns’. These bullets, were cast in a mould and bore letters or devices, or both, on two sides or on only one. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many are pointed at both ends. -
King James II Period Iron Lance Head
Late 17th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising a flat-section leaf-shaped blade with short round-section neck, square-section baluster with hatched surfaces, narrow flared socket with remains of original wooden shaft. 162 grams, 28.5 cm
By repute from the site of the battle of Sedgemoor (6th July 1685), Somerset, UK. Formerly from the collection of gentleman from South London, UK. Property of a private collector, West London, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
