Lot 540. Hand Grenade for Greek Fire. Byzantine, 10th-12th Century A.D.

Hand Grenade for Greek Fire. Byzantine, 10th-12th Century A.D. Hollow terracotta vessel with wick hole to top and spherical body and tapered base, incised linear decoration on shoulder. Originally filled with Greek fire and a rope fuse. Mainly used in naval battles. Greek fire was very effective and feared by sailors, once it got on something it was hard to remove or extinguish. The recipe for Greek fire is not fully known but it likely contained a a mixture of pine tar and and naphtha. An important and unique weapon. 3.25 x 35" A few chips, else intact. Rare. Value Range $500-$750.

 

Estimate:

$  450.00

Final Price:

$ 225.00 (1 bid(s))
Approximately EUR 0.00 / GBP 0.00

$  ( bid(s))
Approximately EUR / GBP

Time remaining:

Bidding closed (Tuesday, 20 Jun 2017, 16:27:00)
Current time: Friday, November 15th, 18:31:28