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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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1160
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Christ and Saint
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £377
Enkolpion with hinged and ribbed loop; low-relief nimbate figure in orans pose to reverse wearing draped robes; robed Corpus Christi to reverse with cross above. 36.9 grams, 82 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Byzantine Carved Agate Cameo of The Holy Banquet
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Plano-convex in section with low-relief carving: scene with a meal at a so-called sigma table surrounded by Christ, Peter, John and the other disciples; Christ and Peter attending and beardless Saint John the Evangelist preparing the fish. 9.95 grams, 32 mm
From a North American gentleman's collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13368-259040.
In early Byzantine art, Saint Peter is often depicted as the only figure apart from Christ to be shown with a nimbus, to emphasise his pre-eminent position as a church father and the 'rock' of the church. -
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Expanding cross pendant with integral ribbed loop and a low-relief Corpus Christi on the obverse, suspended from a later fabric cord. 11.3 grams total, pendant: 53 mm
Acquired at the York Fair. Property of a Lancashire, UK, collector.
