Byzantine Earthenware "Greek Fire" Hand Grenade / Throwing Vessel Circa 9th-11th century AD This interesting earthenware hand grenade is formed as a near-spherical throwing vessel with a slightly flattened upper shoulder and a short, funnel-shaped neck surmounted by a thick, rounded rim with a narrow central hole. The body swells evenly from the collar and is decorated with incised six-pointed stars formed by intersecting lines. Byzantine ceramic grenades were containers for "Greek fire", a petroleum-based incendiary mixture developed in the 7th century AD and guarded as a state secret. Charged through the nozzle and lit by a fuse, the vessel was hurled so that it shattered on impact, spreading burning liquid. Such grenades were used in siege and naval warfare alongside siphon-projected flames and remained in use across the eastern Mediterranean through the middle Byzantine period. Dimensions: 10cm x 8cm x 8g Provenance: Private European Collection; formerly acquired from old UK and European collection formed since the 1970s. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE of THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU.