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LOT 1306
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (530 grams, 13.2 cm).
Piriform in profile with 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.
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 1306
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
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Byzantine Terracotta Slipper Oil Lamp with Cross
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform body with raised rim around the filler hole and tapering nozzle, low-relief linear slashes to the shoulder, and low basal ring. 32.3 grams, 79 mm
From a collection of lamps of a late Scottish gentleman, 1970-1990s. -
Byzantine Silver Cross Pendant
8th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Cross moline type with central facing bust, rosette to end of each arm, applied niello-filled tendril panel to each arm; integral loop. 7.32 grams, 41 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine Lead Pilgrim's Koutrouvion Holy Water Flask with Saint
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With discoid body and cylindrical neck, two lateral small suspension handles; obverse with low-relief facing image of Saint Demetrios with cloak and spear, reverse with Saint Theodora in monastic garments; hatched bands to borders, flange to lower edge; a myrrh flask (koutrouvion). 81.1 grams, 73 mm
From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.
For the Byzantines, koutrouvia were vessels made of clay or lead in which pilgrims carried the aromatic oil (myrrh) which they acquired from the cult centres of saints.
