9th-11th century AD. A hollow ceramic vessel with piriform body, stepped shoulder and domed mouth, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade; body decorated with bands of geometric forms including crescents, circles and billet-style motifs. See 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 Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16. 910 grams, 20cm (8"). Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher; formerly with Clive Sawyer, Kent, UK; previously in a private collection within the UK since the 1990s; accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (??????? k???????) 9th-11th century AD. Condition Report Fine condition.