Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade for 'Greek Fire'

Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade. 9th-11th century AD A ceramic vessel with broad shoulder, conical body, domed top and flat base, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade; a band of concentric circles to the shoulder with circumferential lines above, short neck with narrow aperture; the body distorted during the manufacturing process. 660 grams, 13.5cm (5 1/4"). Fine condition, some distortion. Ex North London gentleman; formerly in a private collection formed between 1990 and 2000; accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, date 15 July 2019 and titled Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade