Lot Essay
Large numbers of these vessels, both complete and fragmentary, have been found all over central Asia, including parts of Russia. There was at one time considerable controversy over whether they were containers for mercury or holy water, lamps, or grenades designed to be charged with incendiary material, probably a mixture containing naphtha, the basis of the legendary Greek Fire of the Byzantines. An article published by W. Arendt in 1931 established beyond doubt that they are grenades
See W. Arendt, 'Irdene Granaten des 13.-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen- und Kostümkunde, 11 (1926-8), pp. 264-5; P. Post, 'Handbrandgeschoß oder Öllampe?', Ibid., 12 (1929-31), p. 42; W. Arendt, 'Die Sphärisch-konischen Gefässe aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., pp. 206-10; D. Ayalon, Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16
Cf. three similar examples sold from the collection of Howard L. Blackmore in these Rooms, 12 July 2000, lot 331 (£1,100 plus premium)
See W. Arendt, 'Irdene Granaten des 13.-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind', Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen- und Kostümkunde, 11 (1926-8), pp. 264-5; P. Post, 'Handbrandgeschoß oder Öllampe?', Ibid., 12 (1929-31), p. 42; W. Arendt, 'Die Sphärisch-konischen Gefässe aus Gebranntem Ton', Ibid., pp. 206-10; D. Ayalon, Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p. 16
Cf. three similar examples sold from the collection of Howard L. Blackmore in these Rooms, 12 July 2000, lot 331 (£1,100 plus premium)