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LOT 1120
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (470 grams, 10.6 cm).
Piriform body with pointed base, two sets of circumferential banding on the body; 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 1120
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Comprising an annular plaque with beaded wire frame to inner and outer edges, granule clusters to three cardinal points and a cruciform cluster to the centre; a suspension loop with cluster at the junction and beaded wire edges. 1.88 grams, 24 mm
From a North American gentleman's collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine Terracotta Tile with NYCIOY
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From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Saint George and Mary
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
With separate hinge and suspension loop; obverse with nimbate robed figure in a tondo with legend 'ΓΕΟΡΓ[Η]' (St George); reverse with robed and nimbate figure in orans pose with 'ICX' beneath each wrist, smaller nimbate figure before, legend 'MHP ΘV' (Mother of God). 82 grams, 10.8 cm
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.
