Description:

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A heavy and sizable steel hand cannon barrel with a thick tang with two suspension holes, a cylindrical body with three flash pans and a pair of astragals, and a trio of circular barrels set within a wide barrel rim. The design of this cannon is not meant to fire the compacted contents of all three barrels simultaneously, but rather to have each barrel be fired in rapid succession. The Chinese hand cannon - or "handgonne" - was a shoulder-mounted weapon that was both cumbersome and difficult to aim. However, if the fired projectile found its mark, the inflicted damage would be immense. Typical hand cannons like this example were capable of firing .50 to .70 caliber projectiles and paved the way for modern-day firearms. Size: 2.8" W x 12.75" H (7.1 cm x 32.4 cm).

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#141925

  • Condition: Original wooden pole missing. Old losses to attachment tang. Minor nicks to barrels, rim, body, and tang, with extensive oxidation across most surfaces. Light earthen deposits throughout. Cannon not tested for functionality.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 6, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000