INDONESIAN RAIL GUN LANTAKA

18th-19th century. Bronze, 9 1/4” length of fine form. Tapered barrel with banded flared muzzle with zoomorphic front sight. Reinforced breach with broad open rear sight and bird form sight ahead. Raised ring touch hole. Tubular tiller mount for aiming. Integral swivel rail lock. Minor casting faults as made and typical for these. These and larger examples were used to protect the sailing ships which linked the islands of the Malay Archipelago, Philippines and Indonesia. Small examples such as this, essentially hand cannons, were mounted on ships rails or elsewhere where protection was needed and fired a single shot to repel boarders. Shipping was essential to the inhabitants of the islands and piracy was a constant presence and threat. Uniform dark patina. On a cubical wood block mount.