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Peter Reynaers

A Byzantine ceramic vessel featuring a hollow, elongated globular body with a pointed base. To the top, the vessel rises into a short narrow neck defined by an encircling ridge and tapers out into a rounded head and mouth. Three concentric grooves decorate the shoulders, followed by a ring of incised dots. The body is decorated by linear motifs in the form of downwards-pointing diagonal incisions, having a branch-like appearance. Minor chipping and pitting to the surface. Heavy chipping to the pointed base. Wear and earthy encrustations to the surface.

This item would have been filled with an explosive liquid known as ‘Greek Fire’ and used as a hand grenade. Greek fire, also referred to as liquid fire, was the most famous weapon in the Byzantine arsenal, saving the Byzantines for centuries from foreign attacks. Being used in both defence and attack situations, the weapon proved significant in the survival of the Byzantine Empire. The formula for the flammable mixture was closely guarded for centuries and irredeemably lost after the collapse of the Empire. Its precise composition thus remains unknown to this day. Their average size and grip suggest the vessel being thrown by hand, in short-range conflicts, but this does not exclude the use of grenades in long-distance battles and at sea; as they were most likely hurled by catapults.

Measurements: (circa) L 15cm x W 7.5cm

Provenance: Ex private UK collection, acquired 1990s.

Circa 9th-11th Century AD

Byzantine Ceramic Decorated Hand Grenade  (No Reserve Price)

Archaeology

Reserve price

No reserve price

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Closing date

Thursday

Sunday

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today

30 May

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tomorrow

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Location

The Netherlands

United Kingdom

Spain

Austria

Belgium

Germany

France

Italy

Hong Kong

Poland

Denmark

Czech Republic

Lithuania

United States

Portugal

Switzerland

Norway

Taiwan

Size

XS (under 10 cm)

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

L (over 80 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Brand

Artisan House

Object

Raw mineral

Ancient jewellery and beads

Ancient artwork

Ring

Arrow head

Carved mineral

Vase

Pendant

Ancient sculptures carvings and figurines

Coin pendant

Taxidermy full body mount

Ancient tools

Cameo

Figure

Statue

Fossil fragment

Ancient lanterns and oil lamps

Dice

Amulet

Cross

Bowl

Sculpture

Taxidermy replica mount

Country of origin

Europe

Netherlands

Unknown

Asia

China

Myanmar/Burma

Laos

Cambodia

Madagascar

Hungary

Africa

Mexico

Nepal

Brazil

Egypt

Greece

Material

Bronze

Terracotta

Silver

Glass

Faience

Ceramic

Flint

Pottery

Gold

Lead

Iron

Marble

Earthenware

Alabaster

Bone

Wood

Stoneware

Steatite

Jasper

Carnelian

Stone

Schist

Iron (cast/wrought)

Pewter

Steel

Gender

Unisex

Women

Condition

Good

Excellent

Very good

Very good +

Good condition

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Fair

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Poor

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Natural

As new - unused

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Excellent condition

Very good condition, see description

Enhanced

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Hand carved

Period

1850-1900

1970-1980

1950-1960

Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

1990-2000

Paleogene, Eocene (56 - 33.9 million years)

Devonian, Middle (393.3 - 382.7 million years)

Devonian (419.2 - 358.9 million years)

2020+

Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.)

1960-1970

Neogene, Miocene (23.03 - 5.33 million years)

1400-1450

1550-1600

1600-1650

2010-2020

2023

2021

2024

2025

15th century

Bakelite

Citrine

Certification

No laboratory report

Non-CITES species

CITES Appendix II - Annex B in the EU

Subject

Male figures

Religion

Style

Ancient Roman

Medieval, Crusaders Era

Ancient Egyptian

Viking Era

Bronze Age

Ancient Roman, Empire

Ancient Egypt, Late Period

Western Asiatic

Ancient Greek, Hellenistic

Late Roman/Early Byzantine

Byzantine

Archaeology

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Byzantine Ceramic Decorated Hand Grenade (No Reserve Price)

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1446 objects

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