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LOT 1462
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (790 grams, 11.9 cm).
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the body; 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. v
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 1462
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Estimate £70 - 90€81 - 104 (for guidance only)$95 - 122 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
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Byzantine Decorated Glass Bracelet Group
Circa 6th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
D-shaped in section with corrugations to the outer face. 41 grams total, 52 - 56 mm
Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. -
Byzantine Aqua Glass Mould-Blown Vessel
Circa 6th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body and a funicular neck, irregular wrinkle decoration on the body. 25 grams, 77 mm
UK art market, acquired before 1980. Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip. -
Byzantine Gold Ring with Engraved Tetragram
Circa 8th century B.C.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Oblate bezel with recessed panel in the upper face, reserved tetragram with letters 'B O H Θ H C o ν, K y p I E' = 'Help, Lord'; traces of enamel fill. 8.06 grams, 24.19 mm overall, 20.04 x 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
Acquired from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13408- 259828.
The invocation Βοήθησον, Κύριε(Help, Lord) is common in Eastern Roman tetragrams. It was the usual invocation used in baptism or other religious celebrations, but also a strong appeal for help from the Almighty in war or in other difficulties. Therefore, the inscription on the ring can be assumed to have a prophylactic function.
