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 1536

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

3 5/8 in. (281 grams, 92 mm).

A piriform missile with domed filler-hole, 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.
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. 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 1536

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £221

    With a triangular blade flaring to the shoulders and wide midrib, narrow tang with one hole for rivet. 218 grams, 30 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.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
    Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
    13th-6th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £187

    Including barbed-and tanged, leaf-shaped, slender triangular and other types. 286 grams total, 4.8-16 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. 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. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
    Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

    Comprising: five large elongated triangular arrowheads with raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem, barbed shoulders and convex sides; two large tanged arrowheads, one of triangular type with mid-rib, the other with rounded shoulders. 140 grams total, 8.3-12.5 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.

    One of the categories of arrowheads coming from Marlik shows a large triangular blade with barbed shoulders, and has been ascribed by Negahban to the subtype C of the type V of Luristan or North Persian arrowheads.

    Lot Details

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