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_900x900.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
_200x200.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
.jpg "Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
LOT 1112
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (588 grams, 15.3 cm).
Piriform in shape with raised lugs to the upper body with stamped concentric roundels between. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFamily collection, acquired 1980-2015.
Ex property of a North London gentleman.
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 Gefasse 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. 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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Luristan Bronze Dagger
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Narrow triangular casting with gentle midrib and narrow point, scooped shoulders, long flat-section tang with lobe finial. 129 grams, 36 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
The type of the present dirk or dagger corresponds to type IX of Medvedskaya classification. The type consists of a bronze blade with organic handle, possibly made of bone or wood, and a long tang, which was usually bent at the extremity. According to Moorey, the exact dating of these pieces is uncertain. -
Medieval Iron Arrowhead Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising tanged arrowheads of various types. 59 grams total, 5-11.6 cm
Acquired before 1972. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The projectiles belong to the type 1 of the A. Michalak classification. In Western Europe, especially from the 13th century onwards, arrows were made in various forms including: simple cone-shaped heads, rhomboid heads, hooked heads, heads with various curved barbs, willow-shaped heads, triangular and flat-bladed heads, crescent-shaped heads and sometimes as petal-shaped and battering heads. -
Mongol Silver Belt Mount Group
13th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £89
Each with a broader scooped edge tapering to a volute flourish, pellets adorning the perimeter, three medial circular dimples, fourth dimple to the scrolled end, against a field of foliate scrolls and niello fill; each with a set of mounting lugs to the reverse. 25.7 grams total, 40-41 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
Similar plaques have been found in the burial graves of Mongol commanders and their wives, probably once part of a waist belt from which the sabre and other weapons were hanging. They were found together with arms, unique elements of the costume of fabric and leather, and splendid jewellery of gold and silver.
