Pair of Chinese 12-Pounder Wood & Bronze Cannons
Cast at the Kiangnan Arsenal, Dated (in translation of the Daoist cyclical system) June 1866 and January 1867 respectively. Each of non-tapering tubular construction, with a prominent raised muzzle-ring carrying the fore-sight, a recessed reinforce with drilled vent and terminating in a base-ring. The base-rings of each barrel engraved with a lengthy inscription in both complex and simplified Chinese characters, including the arsenal inspector’s name “JIANG NAN ZHI ZAO ZONG JU” together with the respective dates of inspection. The base-rings also each fitted with adjustable back- sight retained by a small bronze bracket and knurled threaded screw. Each with prominent button cascable, a pair of trunnions at the median point, and each preserved in fine crisp unpolished condition with a natural light green patina throughout. Each on its original brass-mounted carved hardwood truck carriage, with bronze cap- squares over the trunnions, elevating screw on a bronze spool-shaped casing, and the sides of the carriages carved in relief with elaborate panels of scrolling dragons emerging against a field of stylized clouds.
PROVENANCE: Lowther castle, Cumbria, seat of the Earls of Lonsdale. Included in the five-part dispersal auction of the castle contents conducted by Maple & Co., 17th April 1947, lot 558, sold for £140.
DIMENSIONS: Overall length: 122 cm / 48 in Height: 60 cm / 23.6 in Width: 52 cm / 20.5 in
Cast at the Kiangnan Arsenal, Dated (in translation of the Daoist cyclical system) June 1866 and January 1867 respectively. Each of non-tapering tubular construction, with a prominent raised muzzle-ring carrying the fore-sight, a recessed reinforce with drilled vent and terminating in a base-ring. The base-rings of each barrel engraved with a lengthy inscription in both complex and simplified Chinese characters, including the arsenal inspector’s name “JIANG NAN ZHI ZAO ZONG JU” together with the respective dates of inspection. The base-rings also each fitted with adjustable back- sight retained by a small bronze bracket and knurled threaded screw. Each with prominent button cascable, a pair of trunnions at the median point, and each preserved in fine crisp unpolished condition with a natural light green patina throughout. Each on its original brass-mounted carved hardwood truck carriage, with bronze cap- squares over the trunnions, elevating screw on a bronze spool-shaped casing, and the sides of the carriages carved in relief with elaborate panels of scrolling dragons emerging against a field of stylized clouds.
PROVENANCE: Lowther castle, Cumbria, seat of the Earls of Lonsdale. Included in the five-part dispersal auction of the castle contents conducted by Maple & Co., 17th April 1947, lot 558, sold for £140.
DIMENSIONS: Overall length: 122 cm / 48 in Height: 60 cm / 23.6 in Width: 52 cm / 20.5 in
Cast at the Kiangnan Arsenal, Dated (in translation of the Daoist cyclical system) June 1866 and January 1867 respectively. Each of non-tapering tubular construction, with a prominent raised muzzle-ring carrying the fore-sight, a recessed reinforce with drilled vent and terminating in a base-ring. The base-rings of each barrel engraved with a lengthy inscription in both complex and simplified Chinese characters, including the arsenal inspector’s name “JIANG NAN ZHI ZAO ZONG JU” together with the respective dates of inspection. The base-rings also each fitted with adjustable back- sight retained by a small bronze bracket and knurled threaded screw. Each with prominent button cascable, a pair of trunnions at the median point, and each preserved in fine crisp unpolished condition with a natural light green patina throughout. Each on its original brass-mounted carved hardwood truck carriage, with bronze cap- squares over the trunnions, elevating screw on a bronze spool-shaped casing, and the sides of the carriages carved in relief with elaborate panels of scrolling dragons emerging against a field of stylized clouds.
PROVENANCE: Lowther castle, Cumbria, seat of the Earls of Lonsdale. Included in the five-part dispersal auction of the castle contents conducted by Maple & Co., 17th April 1947, lot 558, sold for £140.
DIMENSIONS: Overall length: 122 cm / 48 in Height: 60 cm / 23.6 in Width: 52 cm / 20.5 in