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LOT 1110
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (505 grams, 11.9 cm).
Piriform body with pointed base and domed mouth, stamped linear decoration on the upper 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 1110
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Byzantine Silver Ring with Inscription
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Featuring a flat-section hoop and a lentoid bezel with an inscription. 0.90 grams, 15.46 mm overall, 14.01 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Byzantine Seal Matrix with Inscription
Circa 11th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £44
With inscription '+ΘKEB / OΘTO / ΔΟΛΟ / ΤΘΛΑ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕI ΤΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΛΑΔΕ' (Mother of God, help Lades, the servant of God). 13.1 grams, 18 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva.
The stamp seals that have survived in large numbers from Byzantium are objects a few centimetres high and conical in shape, featuring a sealing surface at the lower end and a pendant at the upper end. They served the same function as signet rings and were used to seal everyday objects, primarily for personal purposes, using wax and other soft materials. -
Byzantine Silver Strap End Group
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Matching pair of strap ends with openwork decoration on the tongue-shaped body. 9.76 grams total, 44 mm each
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. From the property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
