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Agora Auctions, LLC
Numismatic Auction 67  20 Jun 2017
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Lot 540

Estimate: 450 USD
Price realized: 225 USD
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Hand Grenade for Greek Fire. Byzantine, 10th-12th Century A.D. Hollow terracotta vessel with wick hole to top and spherical body and tapered base, incised linear decoration on shoulder. Originally filled with Greek fire and a rope fuse. Mainly used in naval battles. Greek fire was very effective and feared by sailors, once it got on something it was hard to remove or extinguish. The recipe for Greek fire is not fully known but it likely contained a a mixture of pine tar and and naphtha. An important and unique weapon. 3.25 x 35" A few chips, else intact. Rare. Value Range $500-$750.
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