Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1551

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

13TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.

6 1/2 in. (587 grams, 16.5 cm).

A hollow vessel with cylindrical body and short neck, raised vertical lugs on the upper body; 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 1551

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

Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £221

    With a triangular blade flaring to the shoulders and wide midrib, narrow tang with one hole for rivet. 218 grams, 30 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.

    Lot Details

  • Greek Sling Shot with Inscription
    Greek Sling Shot with Inscription
    4th-1st century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £286

    Lentoid in form with raised legend 'AΓOPOY' (maker's name). 35.4 grams, 31 mm



    Private collection, Austria. Private collection, Europe. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Ibero-Celtic Style Iron Falcata with Inlaid Decoration
    Ibero-Celtic Style Iron Falcata with Inlaid Decoration
    20th century A.D.

    Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £350

    A single-edged machaira sword of falcata typology, the hilt formed as a gracefully curving horse's head and neck, the blade with deep grooves, inlaid with geometric ornaments on the hilt and blade. 771 grams, 57.7 cm



    Ex White Collection, England, 1970s. The Bonnhauser Collection, Zurich, 2003. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Since the 5th-4th century BC, the Iberian warriors armed themselves with round shields and single-edged swords (falcatas), gradually adopting the appearance of hoplite armies and the Etruscan version of the machaira. The latter type of sword was duly transformed into a completely new type, with a different size, shape and function, the falcata, which was already in use in the Iberian area by c. 490 BC. This falcata, a type of curved, one-edged sword of supposedly Greek origin, is generally accepted by the scholars as the 'national' weapon of the Iberians, usually suspended on the left side of the warrior, inside a sheath to which sometimes was attached a short knife. It was a terrible cut-and-thrust sword, with an average blade length of 45 cm.

    Lot Details

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