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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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Caucasian Bronze Hilted Iron Sword
Iron Age, 8th-6th century B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,600
A broad sword with tapering blade and rounded shoulders, bronze hilt with crescentic pommel and apotropaic eye motifs to both sides; accompanied by bronze scabbard or baldric elements including a pair of eyelets with suspension loops, four circular appliqués with conical tips and ropework borders, and a scabbard chape with two opposing ibexes; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg total, 78 cm including stand
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12914-245170.
The sword belongs to the Caucasian culture of the Colchis, and represents a very rare typology. A similar blade was found together with early Scythian arrows during excavations at Karmir-Blur. A similar combination found at Kulanurkhva’s excavations suggests that the appearance of such blades in Abkhazia is linked to the Scythian campaigns in Near Eastern Asia. -
Byzantine Decorated Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
With triangular flange to one edge, incised hatching. 7.35 grams, 34.98 mm overall, 21,50 x 25.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27)
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
WWII Full Matching K98 Bayonet and Scabbard
1941 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising: single-edged bayonet with bakelite sales to the grip, attachment slot, stamped '41 ddl', '4532 / e'; steel scabbard with hook in leather frog with toggled strap closure, suspension loop. 703 grams total, 41.5 cm
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.
