Circa 800-1000 AD A late Roman, early Byzantine glazed ceramic grenade, also referred to as “Greek Fire”. This hollow ceramic vessel is globular in shape, a piriform body, with a short neck and a domed rim, with a series of raised ribs running vertically on the diagonal . The body is decorated with rectangular panels with concentric circles and incised dots. Below the rim, is another band of concentric circles. “Greek Fire” was intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick and used as a hand grenade. Typically, it was used in naval battles as it could continue burning while floating on the water. For similar grenades 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. Size: L:165mm / W:90mm ; 965g. Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s