900-1200 AD, Byzantine. Decorated Byzantine "fire grenade" comprising a brownish-red ceramic vessel with a spheroconical body, short, cylindrical neck and domed rim; repeating stamped geometric decoration covers the whole body of the vessel. Globular vessels such as this example are frequently interpreted as an early type of hand grenades. It is believed that these jars could have contained an incendiary agent such as the infamous "Greek fire" which was impervious to water, making them invaluable weapons in naval battles. Unfortunately, the recipe for "Greek fire was lost with the fall of the Byzantine empire, but it was likely a petroleum-based mixture. Good condition; on a custom stand.Size: L:170mm / W:100mm ; 565g; Provenance: Obtained from a B.F; previously in a collection formed in the 1980s on the UK art market.