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LOT 1806
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (636 grams, 12.8 cm).
Large, cylindrical body with a domed filler hole; 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 1806
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Luristan Bronze Spearhead Collection
Circa 1000-700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
Group of three tanged spearheads, each with a slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade and midrib, tiered ribbing to the neck, square-section tang with chisel tip; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.65 kg total, blades: 34.5-38.6 cm
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13245-252972.
Spearheads of this kind were realised by mould casting. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors. -
Roman Lead Slingshot of Quintus Sertorius
Sertorian Wars, 82-72 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Lentoid in form with raised legend to reverse: 'Q.SERT / PPOR C'; casting flange to rim. 57.2 grams, 33 mm
Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
The inscription refers to Quintus Sertorius, the Roman statesman and general (123-72 BC). -
Roman to Medieval Iron Arrowhead Collection
3rd-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising seven tanged arrowheads, one a swallowtail type. 86 grams total, 5.7-13 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
