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LOT 1517
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (743 grams, 13.4 cm).
Large bulbous body and a domed filler-hole, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; 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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LOT 1517
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
-
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
1000–650 B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Slender blade with raised midrib, a collar beneath the shoulders and a rectangular-section tang; set in a custom-made stand. 96 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand
Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, Suffolk. -
Medieval Iron Single-Handed Sword
12th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Comprising: two-edged lenticular-section piled blade (Oakshott's Type XI) with gentle taper overall to a rounded point and fuller to both faces; quillons round in section with taper to ends; flat-section tang tapering to the upper end; disc pommel of Oakshott's Type G with slightly domed faces. 1.01 kg, 95 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13303-257653. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Piriform in profile with a stepped neck, incised decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 385 grams, 16 cm
From 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'.
Apart 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.
