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 1482

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

13TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.

5 7/8 in. (590 grams, 15 cm).

A piriform missile with raised lugs arranged in pairs, impressed lines and concentric circles in between, domed filler hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, 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.
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. Apart 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.

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 1482

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

Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead
    Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead
    Circa 9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £416

    With broad curved edge, narrow neck, round flared socket with triangular flanges to each face and rectangular hammer extension to the rear. 378 grams, 16.5 cm



    Ex North American private collection, 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

    Piriform body with domed mouth, four raised lugs to the upper body with a hatched band beneath, the field decorated with X-motifs with impressed dots between the arms; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 387 grams, 11.5 cm



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

    Apart 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.

    Lot Details

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

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    A group of eighteen tanged mainly triangular and leaf-shaped arrowheads. 246 grams total, 6.1-11.8 cm



    From the London art market, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

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