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LOT 1175
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/8 in. (276 grams, 87 mm).
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, a circumferential band 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 1175
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Byzantine Bronze Ring with Cross and Inscription
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising a faceted hoop and disc bezel with incised cross and legend 'ΓI [.]HNA'. 2.26 grams, 22.83 mm overall, 19.49 x 17.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Byzantine Inscribed Bone Plaque
Circa 6th-10th century AD.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Obverse with low-relief bust wearing conical headgear, with trefoil sceptre and hatched robe; reverse with legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΙΤΟ' ('T' inverted). 3.12 grams, 38 mm
Ex Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s. -
Byzantine Gold Openwork Beads from Earrings
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £644
Each a spherical cage with ropework texturing, a granule at each node; oval glass bead within. 13.8 grams, 22 mm each
Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1998. Private collection, Europe.
The openwork beads were prepared to be inserted in an earring of ‘Grapevine’ typology, III type of earring in the Niederle classification. Similar specimens, imported from Byzantium, were found in Tokaj (Hungary) and dated to the time of the Emperor Romanus Lekapenos (920-944 A.D.).
