Mixed Military and Other Artefact Collection

A piriform missile with ribbed filler-hole, diagonals and impressed discs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 928 grams, 14 cm



From 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'.

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.

Including tailor's chalk, French military medal with ribbon and plate 'Mlaic 1976', square-section clout nails, bone-handled folding fork and corkscrew and other items. 415 grams total, 3.3-10.9 cm



From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson.

Including leaf-shaped type with tang, triangular-section type with long shank, barbed and tanged and other types. 103 grams total, 4.4-14.4 cm



From a UK private collection, before 1980; property of a North London gentleman; acquired on the UK art market; and ex Abelita family collection, 1980-2015. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.