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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*
-
Byzantine Gold Cross Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £275
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. -
Large Byzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant with Christ
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Bids: 6 | Current Bid: £47
Enkolpion with hinged loop; obverse with low-relief nimbate Corpus Christi with arms extended laterally, inlaid silver detailing; reverse with robed figure in orans pose with silver detailing to nimbus and robe. 123 grams, 11.2 cm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Byzantine Gold Pendant with Carnelian Cameo Bust
Circa 3rd-6th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Carved bust modelled in the half-round with large lentoid eyes and braided hair to the brow, depicting a disciple, an apostle, or a portrait; gold cell with band of granules to the outer edge, ribbed suspension loop with granule detailing. 8.97 grams, 39 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.13367-259037.
Towards the end of the 3rd century, the Roman production of gemstones decreased quickly. At the same time, early Christian motifs appeared on the gemstones. Rare motifs like the one in the current gemstone show portraits of noblewomen or men.
