Ca. 800-1000 AD A late Roman, early Byzantine glazed ceramic grenade, also referred to as "Greek Fire". This hollow ceramic vessel is globular in shape, a piriform body, with a short neck and a domed rim. The body is highly decorated in the form of an owl, the eyes ever watching cylindrical wrappe lines and a long nose. Inbetween that decoration feathers. "Greek Fire” was intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick and used as a hand grenade. Typically, it was used in naval battles as it could continue burning while floating on the water. This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this lot. For similar grenades see: Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; Cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefasse aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16 Size: L:343mm / W:37mm; 130g Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old Oxford collection formed in the 1990s.