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LOT 1150
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (378 grams, 10.3 cm).
Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, two circumferential bands 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 1150
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine Bronze Cross Pendant with Christ
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Cruciform with raised border, low-relief nimbate Corpus Christi with legend to lower edge of each arm, suspension loop above. 14.6 grams, 42 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Byzantine Silver Priest's Ladle Pair
Circa 10th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Each with a shallow discoid bowl and flared rim, round-section shank; one with an integral suspension ring. 58.3 grams total, 16.2-16.5 cm
Ex property of a London gentleman; part of a Mayfair collection formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Private collection, Suffolk, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
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. 470 grams, 10.6 cm
From 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'.
Apart 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.
