Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade for 'Greek Fire'

Byzantine Pottery Hand Grenade for 'Greek Fire' Near East / Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A mold-formed, acorn-shaped pottery ball with a projecting, rimmed spout. Around the shoulder are stamped lion faces, a sign of the legion who used it. It was made to be filled with Greek fire, the infamous flammable liquid concoction invented by the Byzantines and kept as a state secret. These early grenades were filled with the potion and flung towards the enemy using seaborne light catapults or, on land, onagers. Although it is probably not from Antioch, this item would undoubtedly be effective against large rabbits (for the Monty Python fans). Size: 3.6" W x 4.55" H (9.1 cm x 11.6 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand. Condition: Intact, with a few small chips, nicks, and scratches commensurate with age. Most of the lion faces are nicely preserved and clear. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private prominent D.K. collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 2000s From Wikipedia: Grenades and Greek Fire: Greek Fire, an incendiary weapon which could even burn on water is also attributed to the Byzantines. It played a crucial role in the Empire's victory over the Umayyad Caliphate during the Siege of Constantinople (717???718). The discovery is attributed to Callinicus of Heliopolis from Syria who fled during the Arab conquest of Syria. However, it has also been argued that no single person invented Greek fire, but rather, that it was "invented by the chemists in Constantinople who had inherited the discoveries of the Alexandrian chemical school...". The first example of a grenade also appeared in Byzantine Empire, consisting of ceramic jars holding glass and nails, and filled with the explosive component of Greek Fire. It was used on battlefields. Byzantine Empire: