900-1200 AD, Byzantine. Decorated Byzantine "fire grenade" comprising a globular greyish vessel with a short, conical neck which restricts before transitionsing into flaring shoulders decorated with both raised and impressed linear decorations and a long pointed base. 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 petrolum based mixture. Superb condition; Size: L:170mm / W:86mm ; 740g; Provenance: Private London collection, formed in the 1980-90s on the UK and European art market.