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LOT 1462
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/2 in. (623 grams, 16.5 cm).
A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, short neck and domed mouth, band of latticework to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. 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.
FootnotesThis was a type of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1462
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Migration Period Iron Sword with Jewelled Hilt
5th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Comprising: a spatha-type two-edged tapering blade, lentoid in section with sloped shoulders and short tang pierced by an attachment rivet for the grip; traces to both faces of the blade of wooden fibre from the scabbard; edges lightly notched but substantially complete; the lower guard rectangular in plan and scaphoid in section with inset garnet cloisons, triangular along the lower row and heart-shaped above, rectangular at the top, with small rectangular slivers at each end; accompanied by the upper roundel of the pommel, set with four garnet cloisons. 954 grams, 84.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. 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. 12357-225921.
These ‘ceremonial’ swords (in reality widely used in battle) with an inlaid guard are according to Kazanski Late Roman in origin. The cloisonné decoration was probably linked with the production of particularly ornamented swords in the ateliers of the Roman capital of Constantinople. This typology of weapon was not only produced as a gift for Barbarian chiefs allied to the empire, but it was also adopted by the Imperial army, and reserved for the Imperial officers, who were often of Germanic or Asiatic origin. -
Viking Age High Tinned Bronze Horse Harness Rein Mount Group
Khazar, 9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Mainly heater-shaped and crescentic plaque mounts with comma and pellet ornament, lateral lugs, mounting pins to reverse. 66 grams total, 17-18 mm
Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
13th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £130
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade with tapering socket. 355 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
