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LOT 1962
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (605 grams, 12.8 cm).
Drum-shaped body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed leaf motifs on the shoulder; 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 1962
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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British Napoleonic Light Cavalry Trooper's Sabre
1796 A.D. or laterEstimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
A 1796 Pattern with gently curved single-edged blade with thick back, fuller to both sides for most of the blade's length, broad 'hatchet' tip; swept guard with D-shaped side-lugs to protect the scabbard from damp; short grip with leather and cord binding; back with legend 'J.J.Reinkel Solingen'; grip cracked. 809 grams, 95 cm
From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. -
Viking Age Iron Long-Bladed Socketted Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Featuring a rounded cutting edge and a long neck, a round socket with four lateral extensions. 397 grams, 18.9 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. -
Scandinavian Viking Iron Sword with Silver Inlaid Hilt
Circa 9th-10th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Bids: 14 | Current Bid: £1,800
Double-edged cutting sword of Petersen's Type K, with parallel-sided blade, shallow fullers showing some traces of pattern-welded construction and a possible inscription (+VLFBERHT+?) on both sides, short rectangular-section tang, boat-shaped lower guard with silver ring-chain ornament to the upper face; five-lobed pommel with remains of silver-sheet ornament to lower edge. 770 grams, 69.2 cm long
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13433-261728.
This blade of 9th or 10th century A.D. is most beautifully shaped bearing a possible ‘VLFBERHT’ inscription, with the iron inlay of pattern-welded form. The elements of the hilt are inlaid in silver. Petersen regarded his type K with its characteristic five (rarely seven) lobed pommel as being native by Frankish lands by the Rhine, and speculated that the type came to Norway in the first half of 9th century as a result of Viking raids.
