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LOT 1474
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 in. (251 grams, 84 mm).
Ovoid body with impressed ring to the shoulder, domed filler-hole; 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 1474
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Mesopotamian Orange Veined Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With squat oblate body and central mounting hole. 282 grams, 64 mm
Ex 1990s collection and with a central London gallery. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Ovoid in profile with scrolled linear decoration and impressed pellets; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 400 grams, 10.7 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'.
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. -
Medieval Iron Single-Edged Dagger
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With thick straight back and tapering cutting edge with swept tip, flat tang pierced for attachment of organic scales, one rivet in situ. 320 grams, 38.6 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. From an East Anglian, UK, private collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
