Byzantine. 5 1/8” height, dark buff terracotta. The body of turnip form with annular bands flanking a series of stamped decorative figures. Banded top with a cylindrical wick. Known as "Greek fire" these were filled with flammable pitch and thrown or catapulted. Upon impact, they would burst to spew their burning contents which would start fires as well as burn any enemy in their path. In the absence of antibiotics, such burns usually led to a slow death from infection.
