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LOT 1934
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (590 grams, 10.3 cm).
Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; 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 1934
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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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger Blade
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Slender blade with rounded, pierced shoulders and a short tang. 170 grams, 34.9 cm
Acquired on the UK art market since the 1960s. From the private collection of Mr J.P.H., a Woolwich, UK, collector, his collection formed since the 1960s. -
Maximilian Steel Mitten Gauntlet with Reference Number 1.32 in Yellow
Germany, circa early 16th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Wrist and the upper hand section from an armoured gauntlet, with flared cuff and ropework detailing to the rim, vertical fluting to the cannon and two attached articulated plates; cannon hinged at one edge and with sliding catch to the other; marked '1.32'. 180 grams, 12 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. From a gentleman's collection in East Sussex, UK.
This armour part was destined to protect the hand and the wrist. The 'mitten gauntlet' consisted of a longer, narrow conical cuff tapering to the wrist and cut at the top to form a point. By the beginning of the 15th century, the 'mitten gauntlet' had become popular and was to remain so for the rest of the century and into the first half of the 16th century, especially in German-dominated areas of Europe. -
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Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
With slightly carinated equator to the globular body and tubular shaft. 377 grams, 91 mm
From the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s.
