Extremely rare cannon, 1790-91 (bronze) (see also 1109785)

Cast at the royal foundry at Seringapatam, for Tipu Sultan, 'The Tiger of Mysore' Of tapering form with low astragals and fillets segmenting the progressive stages, that at the muzzle edged with leaves, cast with a series of raised cartouches each filled with an inscription, on the chase a pair of bubri-shaped cartouches including the founder's name and the Mawludi date, on the second reinforce an elongated and a half ogival panel, one detailing the load and weight, the other giving Patan (Seringapatam) as the place of manufacture, and on the first reinforce, a talismanic device involving the letters 'H/Y/D/R' for Haydar, the letters divided by bubri, struck with 19th Century British inscriptions 'ANO 10 2 PR', '9-0-19' (twice) and '2 PR' on the first reinforce, the muzzle, trunnion ends and cascable button all finely cast as tiger's heads, the latter also incorporating a ring for the elevating screw, and in unweathered condition with some early gold-painted finish (the cascable button dented).