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LOT 1432
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
6 5/8 in. (587 grams, 17 cm).
Cylindrical in form with tapering foot, three radiating vertical flanges to the body with ribbing between, carinated shoulder with impressed points, domed mouth. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.
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.
FootnotesApart 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1432
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Iron Age Celtic Iron Spearhead
Europe, circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
With lentoid-section two-edged blade, sturdy neck and short tubular socket; incised gusset detailing to neck. 180 grams, 28.5 cm
Acquired from Coincraft, London, UK. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.IA26; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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. 623 grams, 16.5 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s.
This 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. -
Medieval Decorated Iron Axe-Hammer
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
With a broad curved blade, narrow neck and hammer extension to the rear; round socket; punched ornament to both cheeks of the blade. 305 grams, 11.9 cm
Ex North American collection, 1970s-1990s.
