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LOT 1063
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/8 in. (269 grams, 85 mm).
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
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 1063
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
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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. -
Byzantine to Medieval Bronze Fire Starter Handle Collection
5th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Including an openwork pendant type with inset iron striking face, openwork hatched cross and other types. 66.8 grams total, 38-63 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Warrior Saint
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising a slender hoop with gently expanding shoulders, an oval bezel with a stylised standing figure holding a spear. 3.23 grams, 20.48 mm overall, 18.01 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14..35, Japan 13)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
These kind of rings, possibly signet rings, find their parallels with artefacts from Eastern Europe, especially in the area of Smederevo. Comparison elements allow us to propose a 14th-15th A.D. date. In the Orthodox world, military saints were common representations, although engraved simplistically.
