A lantaka for your kind comments

M ELEY · 4th March 2013, 06:18 PM

Awesome lantaka, Fernando!! I have also always wanted one of these and hope to acquire one someday. Yours looks absolutely authentic. It shows honest aging with some wear to the decorations. Note that yours isn't as 'decorative' as other models, something that I like because it points to its use as a weapon versus as simple window dressing (poorer quality 19th c. pieces were used as currency, as wedding dowry, etc). Judging from the length (27") and size bore (just under 1"), this could have been either a signal gun or as a defensive weapon (or both!). The real small ones are less than a foot (party-poppers!), while the largest are truly huge cannons vs rail guns. They would have fired either a large shot (1/2" ball) or the equivalent of partridge shot. Based on the fact that the trunions are 'closed', yours is post-1750/1800. If the ends of the swivel were open, they would pre-date 1750 (I had to go over some old notes to find that fact!). As far as where it is made, I'll have to look over my notes on these. I seem to remember that the ones with alligator decorations, seahorse designs were Malay? The plainer ones were Borneo? Can't remember...

Good find, my friend!!
Mark

P.S. For those interested in the history/making of these cannons, google 'Cannons of the Malay Archipelago' by Don Davie. I've had this printed article for awhile and tried to attach the link, but it's being difficult!

M ELEY · 4th March 2013, 06:25 PM

Trying again!

http://www.acant.org.au/Articles/MalayCannons.html

kahnjar1 · 4th March 2013, 07:22 PM

For interest, here are some on display at Fort Siloso in Singapore.
Stu

asomotif · 4th March 2013, 10:35 PM

I saw a similar example for sale at Michael Backman of London.

I guess that is a good thing

Battara · 4th March 2013, 11:20 PM

I'm thinking that this is the same one that was on Michael's site.

asomotif · 4th March 2013, 11:35 PM

No, it is not the same one.

the bamboo shoot motifs on Fernando's example are longer for starters.

fernando · 5th March 2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

... the bamboo shoot motifs on Fernando's example are longer for starters.

Thanks Willem; didn't know those were called bamboo shoots; any chance you tell me the name of the decoration on the breech, it if has a specific one?

fernando · 5th March 2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I'm thinking that this is the same one that was on Michael's site.

Surely not, as pointed out by Willem. Mine was bought in Mayfair; will PM details, if wished.

fernando · 17th March 2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

I saw a similar example for sale at Michael Backman of London.

I guess that is a good thing

I have just checked that one. It is obviously not the same, but the similarities are outstanding; most probably from the same foundry area, where the same patterns are used.

fernando · 17th March 2013, 03:43 PM

I thought i would make a different stand ... with the help of a local carpenter

.
The one that came from the seller didn't look right to me; not even fitting well.
I have to get some paint to darken the nail heads.

.

Sajen · 17th March 2013, 06:58 PM

Good choice!

fernando · 8th March 2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

For interest, here are some on display at Fort Siloso in Singapore.
Stu

I never thanked you for those pictures, Stu

.
How do you get them ? I browse Fort Siloso and the lantakas i spot there are not the same and are more distant than the ones you posted

?

kahnjar1 · 8th March 2013, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

I never thanked you for those pictures, Stu

.
How do you get them ? I browse Fort Siloso and the lantakas i spot there are not the same and are more distant than the ones you posted

?

My pleasure to show. These pics were taken during a visit in 2007. I also have pics of other big guns, both old and WW2 vintage which are on display there.
Though perhaps not "ethnographic" I will open a thread and post the pics.
Regards Stu

fernando · 5th March 2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Awesome lantaka, Fernando!! I have also always wanted one of these and hope to acquire one someday.

Thanks a million for your kind notes my (pirate

) friend. There were two more left in the shop; if you wish, i can show you the place

-
...An thanks for the link to the article; great stuff, which i will save in my 'favorites'.

4th March 2013, 06:18 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Awesome lantaka, Fernando!! I have also always wanted one of these and hope to acquire one someday. Yours looks absolutely authentic. It shows honest aging with some wear to the decorations. Note that yours isn't as 'decorative' as other models, something that I like because it points to its use as a weapon versus as simple window dressing (poorer quality 19th c. pieces were used as currency, as wedding dowry, etc). Judging from the length (27") and size bore (just under 1"), this could have been either a signal gun or as a defensive weapon (or both!). The real small ones are less than a foot (party-poppers!), while the largest are truly huge cannons vs rail guns. They would have fired either a large shot (1/2" ball) or the equivalent of partridge shot. Based on the fact that the trunions are 'closed', yours is post-1750/1800. If the ends of the swivel were open, they would pre-date 1750 (I had to go over some old notes to find that fact!). As far as where it is made, I'll have to look over my notes on these. I seem to remember that the ones with alligator decorations, seahorse designs were Malay? The plainer ones were Borneo? Can't remember... Good find, my friend!! Mark P.S. For those interested in the history/making of these cannons, google 'Cannons of the Malay Archipelago' by Don Davie. I've had this printed article for awhile and tried to attach the link, but it's being difficult! Last edited by M ELEY; 4th March 2013 at 10:59 PM.

4th March 2013, 07:22 PM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	For interest, here are some on display at Fort Siloso in Singapore. Stu Attached Images

4th March 2013, 11:35 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	No, it is not the same one. the bamboo shoot motifs on Fernando's example are longer for starters. Attached Images

17th March 2013, 03:43 PM	#10
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I thought i would make a different stand ... with the help of a local carpenter . The one that came from the seller didn't look right to me; not even fitting well. I have to get some paint to darken the nail heads. . Attached Images

4th March 2013, 06:25 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Trying again! http://www.acant.org.au/Articles/MalayCannons.html

4th March 2013, 10:35 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	I saw a similar example for sale at Michael Backman of London. I guess that is a good thing

4th March 2013, 11:20 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I'm thinking that this is the same one that was on Michael's site.

17th March 2013, 06:58 PM	#11
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Good choice!