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LOT 1834
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/2 in. (534 grams, 14 cm).
Piriform in profile with a stepped neck, incised decoration and three raised lugs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. 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 1834
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
-
London Proofed Percussion Revolver
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A double-action nickel-plated 5-shot percussion revolver with numbered chambers; the chambers and barrel bearing London proofmarks and the barrel numbered '2'; the frame with foliate engraving and fitted with chequered wood grip scales with hinged steel loading lever; action in working order. 480 grams, 18 cm
Acquired Peter Wilson Auction, 2020, lot 10. Ex property of a Kent collector. Accompanied by lot ticket. This lot is for UK buyers only.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. -
Roman to Medieval Iron Arrowhead Collection
3rd-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Mixed group of tanged arrowheads, one a swallowtail type. 72 grams total, 6.8-14.9 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Lead Slingshot of Quintus Sertorius
Sertorian Wars, 82-72 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Lentoid in form with raised legend to reverse: 'Q.SERT / PPOR C'; casting flange to rim. 57.2 grams, 33 mm
Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
The inscription refers to Quintus Sertorius, the Roman statesman and general (123-72 BC).
