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LOT 1088
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (454 grams, 10.4 cm).
Bulbous body with short neck and biconvex 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 1088
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, impressed vertical line decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 725 grams, 15.5 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. -
Byzantine Turreted Gold Ring with Architectural Jasper Gemstone
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Comprising a flat-section body composed of intersecting rings and pellets, turreted bezel with carinated body set with a polished jasper cabochon, incuse image of a tower with flanking palm trees. 6.43 grams, 28.80 mm overall, 17.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7 1/2, Europe 17.5, Japan 14).
Ex K collection, London, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12969-246373. -
Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Enkolpion reliquary pendant panel with hinge knuckles; obverse with low-relief nimbate figure in orans pose flanked by busts. 7.72 grams, 50 mm
Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.
