Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1468
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/2 in. (460 grams, 16.5 cm).
Piriform in profile with a domed mouth and a stepped neck, incised decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Medieval Warrior's Iron Chain Mail Armour Shirt
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
A butted short-sleeved chainmail shirt made of thick oval rings assembled in the usual system of one-to-four; in an excellent state of preservation, with over 95% of the rings intact, very few broken or corroded, with no later additions. 9.93 kg, 87 x 56 cm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, South Germany. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13066-249665.
In the German-manufactured ring mail armours, in the 15th century A.D., the rings protecting the breast were very thick, whereas the sleeved mail armours were thinner. Master armourers from Nuremberg were famous for this production across Europe. -
Greek Lead Slingshot
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΣΟΜA' to one face, 'HPAKAEI' to reverse, with the possible meaning 'Body of Herakles'. 29.8 grams, 29 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, Munich, Germany.
The principal varieties of the inscriptions found on sling bullets are: 1) the name of a man, a place or a person; 2) the name of a deity, sometimes on its own and sometimes in connection with ‘victory’; 3) words conveying orders, jokes or sarcasms. Here the inscription connects the power of the bullet to the mythical god of strength. -
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Broad blade with thickened edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions. 269 grams, 13.5 cm
Ex North American collection, 1970s.
