Byzantine Terracotta Shipwreck Bowl

Rectangular in plan with central recessed Christian cross, small recessed cross within a square to centre, pouring channel above; circular recess to each corner; soapstone. 163 grams, 67 mm



Acquired on the London art market, 1960s-1980s. Ex Hertfordshire, UK collector. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

Of piriform shape, with raised inverted tear-shaped bulbs over the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 824 grams, 15.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. 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. 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.

Composed of a hemispherical body and piriform lid with flange to the equator, hollow-formed lid and base with foot and removeable balustered finial with discoid cap to apex; body with two leaf-shaped plaques with loops to support the articulate round-section handle; body and lid decorated with dense feather or leaf detailing; very rare to find as complete. 406 grams, 16 cm high

cracked

Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.