A good-sized grey ceramic piriform vessel with a narrow rim at the top enclosing a circular mouth. The body is decorated with a series of impressed circular indentations with groups of hockey stick impressions towards the base.
Supplied with a metal display stand and copy of a two-page 2019 article about firebombs by Dr. Raffaele D'Amato.
 
Byzantine: Circa 12th-14th century AD.
 
Condition: Fine condition generally; with a chip to the edge of the rim.
Height of the vessel: 17 cms (6.7 ins).
Weight: 930 grams.
 
Provenance: From a collection of a North London gentleman, latterly with a London gallery.
 
For an example of the type see Lot 331 Christie's Sale 8829 Arms and armour 12 July 2000.
 
Literature:
W. Arendt Irene Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p. 42
W. Arendt Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid.
D. Ayalon Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16.
 
Contemporary accounts indicate that like an early form of Molotov cocktail, such vessels were filled with flammable material such as naphtha a wick was inserted into the aperture and lit, and the whole vessel hurled at the enemy. Also known as Greek Fire, they were mainly used in naval engagements and would have been devastating against wooden ships. There was at one time considerable controversy over the purpose of these items, however an article published by W. Arendt in 1931 established beyond doubt that they are grenades.