900-1200 AD, Byzantine. Decorated Byzantine "fire grenade" comprising a globular greyish vessel with a short neck, flaring shoulders decorated with a single impressed band. 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. Good condition; Size: L:140mm / W:90mm ; 765g; Provenance: From the private collection of a South London art professional; previously in a collection formed on the UK/European art market in the 1980s.