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. The body is decorated with a central linear block line, above is a row of leaf-like shaped motifs. “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:75mm ; 845g. Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.