Lot 2300

Description

Canon, Netherlands East Indies, (c17th-18th century), Lantaka cannon (swivel rail cannon), heavy bronze casting, triangular decorative elements and raised sight at the muzzle, mounting swivel intact, (93cm long, 25mm bore, total weight 18kg). Slight damage to muzzle, otherwise intact with attractive dark patina.

Includes a custom made heavy wooden display stand fashioned to resemble a ship’s railing. These cannon were designed to be temporarily mounted to the ship’s railing while in use. They were employed in close quarters fighting and used as signalling devices. The present owner purchased the piece from an Antiques dealer in Wagga Wagga in the 1980s who stated that it was rescued from an Indonesian scrap metal yard in the 1970s. Ex Phillip Harding Collection.