Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade for 'Greek Fire'

9th-11th century AD. A ceramic piriform vessel with squat, narrow neck and crude decorative(?) marks; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick and used as a hand grenade. 620 grams, 13cm (5"). Fine condition. Provenance Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. Literature 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 Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.