Tiny bronze hand gonne Barrel?

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi Gene,

As it is equiped with trunnions I would agree it is a miniature cannon barrel, with the carriage missing.
The decoration in my opinion points towards the Far East (China?), the traces of crude hammering at the muzzle look spurious - like somebody has tried to make it look older, damaged and 'aged'.

Best,
Michael

Hi Michael,

Thanks for coming in on this one.
It came from a dealer who didn't have any clue what it might be, for the cost of a bottle of Bavarian Lager, so I don't think there was any intenional deception going on or it would have come with a story and higher price

I also thought that the form looked possibly Chinese, but a chap I know who'se got a vast collection of Asian weapons said he thought it wasn't and that it looked European, possibly Italian to him.
Which is why I thought I'd post it here knowing that you should be able to discount that possibility.
He thought the snake decoration reminded him of European pieces

Thanks
Gene