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LOT 1162
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (374 grams, 11 cm).
Bulbous body with a domed mouth, a circumferential band on 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 1162
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*
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Late Byzantine Silver Spoon with 'St Peter' Inscription on the Handle
Late 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Featuring a large, shallow piriform bowl, stepped junction with a boar's head above, a hexagonal-section stem extending from behind the boar's neck bearing a Greek inscription 'TTETPOY' (of Peter); a balustered handle with a cuboid, striated finial. 60.77 grams, 21.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, Surrey, UK.
The inscription suggests that the spoon may have had a liturgical purpose, associated with the Holy Communion. Still today in the Orthodox Church, the Body and Blood of Christ are dispensed with similar liturgical objects. The name Peter can be associated with the church, or simply with the owner of the liturgical artefact. -
Byzantine Terracotta Discoid Oil Lamp
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Circular lamp with raised flange on the rim, short conical neck and a low basal ring. 181 grams, 95 mm
From an important collection of lamps, Germany, 1970s. -
Eastern Roman Bronze Amulet with Saint Spearing the Dragon
Circa 14th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Oval pendant with integral suspension loop, one side with armoured Saint Theodore or Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon with a barbed spear, a lion beneath and a Greek inscription on the upper edge 'EICΘEOCONIKѠNTAKAK = εἷς θεός ὁ νικῶν τά κακ(ά)' = the one god who defeats evil; the reverse with four animals (two lions, a snake, an ibis and a scorpion) reaching towards an altar or a boat, a Greek inscription above 'ПІΝѠCAΒAѠΘΜIΧAΗΛ' = I drink, The God of the hosts, Michael. 8.77 grams, 56 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
