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LOT 1486
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (461 grams, 13.5 cm).
A piriform missile with domed filler-hole and vertical segmented bands with impressed geometric designs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade.
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'.
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 1486
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
A short sword or dirk with slender triangular blade, low round midrib with flat upper face, annular guard and remains of scooped shoulders, columnar grip with open sides to receive bone or wooden hilt, crescent pommel. 303 grams, 40.5 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1990s.
These bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the penannular guard was cast later into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area. -
Indian Gold Dagger Scabbard Suite
17th-18th century A.D.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Belonging to a dagger and its scabbard, comprising: a tubular pommel cap with filigree ropework, repoussé floral motifs; an elliptical-section scabbard throat with billetted border, reeded edges and floral motif; a triangular chape with reeded strip to the mouth. 27 grams total, 29-64 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. -
Spanish Military Briquet Sabre
Dated 1902 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising: slightly swept single-edge blade with scooped point and ricasso; brass hilt with finger-guard, lobed quillon, ribbed grip; blade stamped 'Arta. Faba. de Toldo 1902'. 1.04 kg, 83.5 cm
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.
