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Peter Reynaers

A Byzantine ceramic vessel featuring a hollow, elongated 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. A band of vertical incisions between two encircling grooves, radiating out from the mouth of the vessel, decorate the shoulders. A trail of incised dots encircles the grenade beneath. Vertical lines of small linear incisions further enrich the vessel. Earthly encrustation to the surface. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chipping, perforations, scratches, and pitting to the surface. The pointed base has been chipped. 

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 16cm x W 7cm

Provenance: Ex private UK collection, acquired 1990s.

Circa 9th-11th Century AD

Byzantine Ceramic Decorated Hand Grenade  (No Reserve Price)

Archaeology

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Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

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Archangel Michael

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Byzantine Ceramic Decorated Hand Grenade (No Reserve Price)

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