Until 1st Jan, 2026
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AN INSCRIBED BRONZE CANNON, ZHOU ZHILIN, DAOGUANG, DATED 1844
Lot 373-FAS0425
China. The tapering barrel with nine levels of cast reinforcing ring bands resembling bamboo, with inscriptions in the middle of the chase, all ending in a dome shaped cascabel with a vent for inserting fuse. The cannon flexibly secured on a wooden carriage with four wheels. (2)
Inscriptions: The barrel incised along the top, ‘Given to the provincial governor. Made in the twenty-third year of Daoguang (corresponding to 1844). Elite troops number […]. Position number […]. Supervised by […]. Manufactured by Zhou Zhilin. Gunpowder quantity of two liang and bullet quantity of two liang two qian.’
Provenance: From a private collection in France.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, casting flaws, traces of use, nicks, scratches, and few malachite encrustations. The carriage with old wear and weathering, losses, age cracks, traces of use, chips.
Weight: 24.2 kg
Dimensions: Length 62 cm (the cannon), 65 cm (the cannon and carriage)
Cannons were amongst the earliest form of gunpowder artillery, replacing other forms of obsolete siege weaponry. The earliest cannons were fire lances, like modern day flamethrowers, used to spew forth deadly flames towards the enemy. Later, the paper and bamboo of which fire lances were originally constructed came to be replaced by metal. The present example still bears close resemblance to bamboo.
The present cannon is also notable as the inscription states specific instructions on how to prepare it for use. With the appropriate amount of ammunition, it fires scatter shots to defend against advancing infantry for up to a range of a hundred meters. Designed to be mobile, the cannon is surprisingly light in weight and has a pair of wheels for easy transportation.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 25 May 2011, lot 511
Price: HKD 204,000 or approx. EUR 36,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze cannon, Daoguang, dated 1843
Expert remark: Compare closely related form and inscription. Note the size (73.7 cm).
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