Loading, please wait...
LOT 1550
Miniature Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (89 grams, 67 mm).
Small and biconical in profile with narrow point; 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 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1550
Miniature Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
-
Ottoman Iron Dagger with Bone Hilt
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Broad iron blade with reinforcing corrugations, inlaid brass ornament; bone scales to the hilt with fixing studs; scabbard with wooden core, leather sleeve, bronze frog and chape; fastened with wire stitching; narrow pocket to reverse to accept a smaller companion knife. 683 grams, 58 cm
Private collection, UK. -
Viking T-Bar Iron Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With broad edge, slender neck, round flared socket with lateral wings to each face and extension on the rear. 388 grams, 15 cm
Ex North American private collection, 1970s. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
800-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Socketted with slight horizontal cast-in grooves on the shaft, foliate head with strong mid-rib, fastening hole on the socket. 166 grams, 34.7 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
These kinds of spearheads were realised by casting in a mould. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors.
