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Details

LOT 1526

Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.

6 1/4 in. (452 grams, 16 cm).

Hollow vessel with piriform body, raised lugs on the shoulder with hatched banding in between the lugs, decorative band of rosettes beneath the domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1526

Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

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