Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade for 'Greek Fire'

9th-11th century AD. A hollow ceramic vessel with domed top and conical base, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade; shoulder with band of scrolls with further four vertical bands above; the vessel slightly misshapen during the manufacturing process. 670 grams, 13cm (5"). Fair condition. Provenance Property of a North London gentleman; formerly in the Frederick Erskine Collection of Weaponry of the Middle Ages; 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 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; Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid.; Ayalon, D. Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.