[Anandalal N.]

Tracing the course of cast iron cannons etc., I have come across the following item. This is a rough sketch of an item of cast iron from Ceylon. It is heavy and solid with the date 1636. Probably a finial from a gate or arch of some sort. The Portuguese were in control of the maritime areas of Ceylon until the last Portuguese Fortress was taken over by the Dutch in the 1650s. Although the Dutch were visiting the island from the early 1600s, they did not, according to available records, have a permanent presence until 1640.

Thus, in theory, the finial is likely to be Portuguese and not Dutch. But the accounts suggest that the Portuguese did not have cast iron technology during this period though it appears that they were in contact with Chinese technicians for the manufacture of cast iron cannon around the 1920s.

So, this is either Portuguese and the Portuguese had access to cast iron technology earlier than supposed or it is Dutch (the Dutch and the English had cast iron technology prior to the Portuguese) and the Dutch had at least a semi-permanent presence in Ceylon earlier than previously believed.

Any ideas? Michael and others? What does the shape of the cross and the frame suggest?

Regards.