Loading, please wait...
LOT 1133
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (598 grams, 12 cm).
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth; 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1133
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
-
Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Cruciform pendant with slighty expanding arms, punched annulet decoration on both sides. 5.81 grams, 40 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Christ and Saints
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Bifacial enkolpion with roundel to end of each arm, hinged polyhedral suspension loop above; obverse with low-relief central Corpus Christi and bust of a saint in each roundel; reverse with central seated figure of Mary surrounded by text and with a nimbate bust in each roundel. 56.8 grams, 98 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Byzantine Terracotta Oil Lamp with Linear Decoration
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Linear decoration radiating from the large filler hole, with a small handle to the rear. 76 grams, 92 mm
From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.
