Object Description
A Byzantine earthenware hand grenade featuring a hollow cylindrical body with a pointed base. To the top, the vessel leads to a short neck and splays out slightly into a thick rim with a small mouth. This allowed the item to be filled with an explosive liquid known as ‘Greek fire’ and used as a hand grenade in battle. The mouth would have also accommodated for a fuse to instigate the explosion. As typical for Byzantine grenades, this piece displays geometric patterns to its outer surface. The shoulder is decorated with a stepped concentric circle design and the tip is surrounded by an encircling groove. The top of the body features a wide, shallow groove, creating a tiered effect. The main register of the grenade features a series of indentations to aid with grip.
Date: Circa 9th-11th century AD