Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade Circa 13en - 15en Century AD

A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, short neck and domed mouth, four raised lugs to the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16. 427 grams, 16.2 cm (6 3/8 in.). From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s. This was a type of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations.

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