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LOT 1463
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/8 in. (427 grams, 16.2 cm).
A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, short neck and domed mouth, four raised lugs to the body; 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 1463
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
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English private collection. with ArtAncient Ltd, 2013. Private collection, London. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Tapering with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. 170 grams, 26.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. -
Iron Age Celtic Iron Axehead
Britain, circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With lateral flanges curved inwards to form an open socket, long neck, broad flared blade. 278 grams, 11.5 cm
Found South East England. From the private collection of Kenneth Acquired Coincraft, London, UK. Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.IA25; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
