Byzantine Silver Statuette of a Saint

Conical in profile with pierced tip, balustered profile with ropework collars, monogram to underside. 18.8 grams, 30 mm



Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. From a gentleman's private collection.

Piriform body with ribs to the shoulder and impressed ovoids to the upper face, recessed filler-hole to the shoulder, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 520 grams, 10.7 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. 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'.

Apart 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.

Hollow-formed, decorated with a central filigree band from which granulated triangles radiate, alternating with filigree circular motifs; piercing occluded. 2.12 grams, 12 mm



From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.