Lantaka were a type of bronze swivel gun mounted on merchant vessels travelling the waterways of Malay Archipelago.  There use was greatest in precolonial South East Asia. These guns were often used to defend against pirates.

This is a 26” Lantaka deck cannon / swivel gun. Cast of solid bronze with a tapered bore (perhaps ¾” at breech opens up to about 1 ¾” at muzzle) and has the appearance of a blunderbuss.  The gun and its yoke weighs about 16 pounds.  A cast bronze yoke remains attached to the trunions. This is decorated with leafy designs that run the length of the cannon. This Lantaka has a clear bore with open vent.  Firing small cannon balls it was a powerful offensive and defensive weapon. Lantakas were manufactured during the 17th and early 18th century in Holland by Dutch East India Company for export to Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines.  Later in the 18th century most of them were cast in Indonesia by Dutch colonists and also by local people.  Since the bronze cannons were very expensive they became a symbol of wealth and a form of currency; the more cannon a man owned the greater his wealth.  Many were brought back as souvenirs by WW II servicemen.  This bronze cannon is overall in very good condition with good aged patina, scattered casting flaws, finishing marks, and scratches as expected on a 200 year old bronze relic. Comes with reproduction wood stand.   [jet]

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