Loading, please wait...

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1049

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

5 3/8 in. (780 grams, 13.8 cm).

Piriform in profile with domed mouth and narrow point, the body with raised lugs and bosses on a stamped background; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, 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 1049

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Byzantine Silver Swan-Necked Ligula Spoon with Cross
    Byzantine Silver Swan-Necked Ligula Spoon with Cross
    5th-7th century A.D.

    Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £833

    Shallow piriform bowl attached to a stepped baluster, hexagonal-section handle with spike finial; engraved cross potent to either side of the junction. 46 grams, 22.7 cm



    French private collection. Acquired on the French art market in 2011. Acquired by the present owner at the above. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12240-222347. 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.

    The lateral incised cross motifs suggest that the spoon may have had a liturgical purpose, possibly associated with baptism.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
    Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant
    12th-14th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £260

    Enkolpion with hinged suspension loop, obverse with facing Corpus Christi; reverse with robed and nimbate figure in orans pose. 17 grams, 67 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.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Bronze Ring with Floral Cross
    Byzantine Bronze Ring with Floral Cross
    13th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

    With ellipsoid bezel, tinned upper face with reserved scallops to the rim and four starburst motifs. 9.78 grams, 24.92 mm overall, 18.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



    Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

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