Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1473
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
7 in. (454 grams, 18 cm).
A long tapering cylindrical missile with raised ribs to the shoulder and carination above, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.
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'.
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.
LOT 1473
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
RELATED LOTS
-
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 13th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Including leaf-shaped, barbed, and other types, all tanged, except one socketted. 428 grams total, 9.5-15.6 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
Majority of these arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and C according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes A and C of type V are larger arrow heads with barbed shoulders and triangular heads. Very interesting is the socketted type: Greek, dated at the 8th century B.C. -
Large Medieval Eurasian Iron Knight's Military Horse Bit
12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
The snaffle bit with two rectangular openwork cheekpieces decorated with an openwork plaque, the surface ornamented with scales and lozenge elements. 624 grams, 37.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The snaffle bits consisted of two parts: a bit, which was placed in the horse's mouth, and cheekpieces, which were connected to the reins and head strap. -
Old Babylonian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
1800-1500 B.CSold for (Inc. bp): £364
Comprising paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib. 177 grams total, 57-80 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
These kind of arrowheads were typical of the Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. This simple form was popular throughout and show comparative common finds in the Holy Land.
