Catalog: Antiques: Instruments and Implements: Maritime (1)

Lantaka a 18th century cast bronze SWIVEL-CANNON “Rail Gun” or “Deck Cannon” solid bronze beautiful details measuring approximately 36 inches long. These cannon were used by the legendary Malay pirates, with small cannon-balls it was a powerful offensive 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 become a symbol of wealth and a form of currency; in fact the more cannon a man owns the greater his wealth.