Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade - "Greek Fire"

Ancient Near East, Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A hefty, mold-formed pottery hand grenade with an acorn-shaped body, a rounded shoulder, and a narrow mouth. The body is textured with several vertical striations, and a series of concentric rings narrow gradually towards the mouth. Grenades like this were meant to hold the famed and highly combustible substance known "Greek fire," though its exact composition is unknown; scholars posit that the mixture was composed of pine resin, naphtha, quicklime, and sulphur. Size: 3.8" W x 4.75" H (9.7 cm x 12.1 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in July, 2008; ex-Stormbroek Ancient Art, The Netherlands

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#151149
Condition Report: Minor nicks and abrasions to base, body, and mouth, with softening to some details around shoulder, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits throughout.