Lot 5189

Description

Brunei, anonymous, 19th-early 20th century, bronze minature cannon (Bedil Lapis type), length 285 mms, weight 980 grams, (Saran Singh No.59 [p.570], Opitz p.30). Very fine and rare.

Opitz notes that these minature cannons were used for trading purposes in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak for barter of goods and payment of fines. They were also used in wedding and engagement ceremonies. Many were melted during World War II.