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LOT 1160
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (403 grams, 10.5 cm).
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, 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 1160
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*
-
Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp
Circa 7th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Formed as a stylised bird with a hemispherical body, U-shaped nozzle forming the head, two projecting wings with incised decoration, and a large flaring tail forming the handle with a central cross motif, three stub legs on the underside. 65.9 grams, 12 cm
From an important collection of lamps, Germany, 1970s. -
Large Byzantine Gold Cross Pendant
Circa 8th-10th century A.D. and laterEstimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Tubular in construction with ribbed arms and applied filigree trails to both faces; inset possibly later cabochon garnet to the end of three arms and another in the central cell, and an integral suspension loop; some restoration. 15.16 grams, 81 mm
Ex London, UK, collection. Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s. Accompanied by a typed dealer's ticket. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Three Line Inscription
6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Discoid bezel with three lines of enigmatic Greek text 'KE[.]E / ΦυΛA / -+-'; with old collector's ticket 'van Phocas'. 3.51 grams, 23.60 mm overall, 20.04 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
