MEDIEVAL, PROBABLY 13TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

Three Rare Islamic Incendiary Grenades
Medieval, probably 13th-15th Century A.D.
Each of unglazed earthenware with a central hole at the neck, the first with a frieze of relief decoration on the upper third of the body; the second with central moulding between a pair of incised lines; the third decorated with vertical panels of impressed ornament separated by pairs of vertical grooves (some damage to the surface of the second and third grenades), the first and second on stands
4in. (10.1cm.) to 5in. (12.7cm.) high (3)

Special notice

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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

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