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LOT 1453
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (681 grams, 12 cm).
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, the shoulder with an impressed band of rosettes and two circumferential bands above; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s.
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 1453
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £70 - 90€81 - 104 (for guidance only)$95 - 122 (for guidance only)
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Veneto-Byzantine Gold Ring with 'God Help the Wearer' Inscription
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (‡+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £2,000
With niello-filled tendril scrolls to the shoulders, ellipsoid bezel with lateral knops, niello-filled border and legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΘΙ/ΤΟΝΦOΡO/HTATω' (may God help the wearer). 7.51 grams, 22.33 mm overall, 19.36 x 17.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Collection of Maritine, Countess of Behague, from the estate of the Marquis de Ganay. Sotheby's, Monaco, 5 December 1987, no.202. Objects with Semitic Inscriptions, Jewish, Early Christian and Byzantine Antiquities, 20 November 1989, no.331. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant 1989 catalogue pages. -
Byzantine Bronze Pendant
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Formed as a column of three bulbs with four radiating bulbs near the end, ring with loop. 19 grams, 43 mm including loops
Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. -
Byzantine Iron Ring with Silver Inscribed Bezel
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising a narrow D-section hoop with segmented projections, cup bezel with silver panel to upper face, inscribed 'ΗΛΙΑΔΕΒΟΗΘΙ' (Iliad ...). 2.65 grams, 27.68 mm overall, 18.66 x 19.26 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.
