Loading, please wait...

Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
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
VETTING:

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 1526

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

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Mesopotamian Bronze Javelin Head
    Mesopotamian Bronze Javelin Head
    3rd-2nd millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £182

    With foliate blade, rhomboidal in section, raised mid-rib, medium length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 206 grams, 45.4 cm



    Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with long pointed biconvex blade and single bevelled tang. They seem to be a Mesopotamian and Susian (Elamite) variant, and this type also includes decorated blades, like the spear from Tello with the inscription 'King of Kish'.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
    Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £50

    Comprising: two large triangular arrowheads with barbed shoulders and rounded midrib; one large arrowhead with lanceolate head and rounded shoulders. 94 grams total, 12.5-16.1 cm



    Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The arrowheads belong to the type V of the classification of Khorasani: subtype D (triangular arrowheads with rounded or angular midrib) and subtype C, arrowheads with elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders and convex sides, and a raised midrib with a sharp central line.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Age Bearded Axehead
    Viking Age Bearded Axehead
    9th-10th century AD

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £351

    A hand-forged side-axehead with square-section socket, broad blade offset with extension to the lower edge. 838 grams, 17 cm



    From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The axe belongs to the type C of Petersen classification. They are axes of Eastern type, of narrow bearded type, characterised by an almost completely round hole for the shaft, rather than the more triangular or drop shape we see on the western typologies.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list