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LOT 1425
Large Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade with TL Test
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 7/8 in. (1.14 kg, 17.5 cm).
Piriform body with impressed teardrop-shaped motifs and raised lugs to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards.
Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report by Oxford Authentication with sample no.P125g15.
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'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 1425
Large Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade with TL Test
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
13th-6th century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Including barbed, triangular, heater-shaped and other tanged types. 442 grams total, 11.3-19.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Romano-British Bronze Spearbutt or Staff Head
200-300 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising an onion-shaped terminal developing to a flared socket; incised circumferential line detailing. 139 grams, 54 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Cumbria, South Lakeland, UK in 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LANCUM-DFEA18. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Luristan Bronze Sword Blade with Corrugation
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A two-edged blade, leaf-shaped with short rectangular tang, corrugated midrib extending almost to the tip and flared at the shoulder. 296 grams, 35 cm
Fine condition.
Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher; formerly with a London gallery; previously acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in Luristan were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses which are the main sources of the Luristan bronze weapons.
