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LOT 1362
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (338 grams, 10 cm).
bulbous 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.
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 1362
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
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Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
A bifacial pendant with raised edges and knops at the end of each arm. 5.06 grams, 40 mm
Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, 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. -
Byzantine Bronze Punch with Menorah and Hebrew Inscription
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Current Winning Bid: £428
Columnar stem with conical base extending to a square-section shank. 18.8 grams, 31 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Stamping in antiquity and in the Roman Empire was under strict regulations, and it was not limited to food and liquid containers. Bricks and tiles used in construction were impressed with the names of magistrates, workshops, estate owners from whom the material came, and the names of individual makers. Among the myriad Late Roman stamps, a great number were to mark bread or containers holding flour and other foods, as well as a variety of liquids such as wine, oil, fish and fruits preserved in sauces, medical ointments, and even water. It is interesting to note as the Jewish symbols here engraved are very stylised: as mentioned by various scholars, the Jewish representations of shofar and lulav on this category of stamps degenerated in quality in Late Antiquity, and this is why they are variously dated between the 4th and the 7th century.
