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LOT 2014
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (425 grams, 10.9 cm).
Ovoid 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 2014
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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Stuart Period Iron Plate Armour Scarsella
Circa 17th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Curved in profile with recurved ends to the broad upper edge; carination around three edges, attachment rivets; extensive leather lining strips to reverse; later suspension wire for display. 270 grams, 21.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. From a gentleman's collection from East Sussex, UK.
Lower part of a tasset with the outer edges deformed due to repair work. Tassets are pieces of plate armour designed to protect the upper thighs. -
Large Celtic Period Iron Spearhead
Iron Age, circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. or laterEstimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Featuring a leaf-shaped blade with rounded shoulders, wide midrib extending to a tubular socket. 236 grams, 35.5 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. -
African Hausa Long Tebu Style Dagger and Sheath
Nigeria,19th-early 20th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
With narrow triangular iron blade; wooden crossguard, grip and upper guard all with moulded and braided leather covering, trapezoidal flange finial; leather sheath with wooden carcass, reptile-skin frog and chape with braided knot finial; braided suspension loop and attachment buttons. 320 grams,72.5 cm
From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.
