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LOT 1104
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (500 grams, 13.2 cm).
Piriform in profile with a band of impressed motifs above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s.
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 1104
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
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Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant Plate
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
One panel from an enkolpion with hinge knuckle above; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 123 grams total, 10.5 cm including stand
Previously with an ADA member's London gallery. Ex Important North London gentleman's private collection, 1980-1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a Coincraft certificate of authenticity. -
Byzantine Gold Cross Pendant
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Sheet-gold with integral suspension loop, five large bosses, each within an encircling ring and four smaller bosses in the spandrels assembled into a cross; a marriage. 3.73 grams, 36 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. -
Byzantine Gold Standing Female Pendant
7th-9th century A.D.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Hollow-formed and modelled in the round, standing female wearing a palla around her hips, hands raised to her hair; applied mounting strip to reverse and wire stud to brow to mount a bead. 3.44 grams, 39 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13138-248306.
The stance is based on the famous Venus Anadyomene image of the goddess emerging from the sea, as shown in the mosaic at Casa del Principe di Napoli in Pompeii.
