A pair of Italian bronze saluting cannons, Venice, late 16th or 17th century, one with inscription in relief "DE CHAPEL L***S"

The present cannon featuring the figures of Mars, Victory and Peace in the manner of the French artist Jean Goujon (active c.1540-68) belongs to a group of similar examples recorded in public and private collects ions:

- one cannon, dated from circa 1580, is at the Wallace collects ion, London (inv.no. A1243);

- an example in the Kingston-upon-Hull Museum is signed in relief, in place of the oval shield, DE / CHAPEL / LENNE;

- one cannon in the Musée de Cluny (no. 766);

- a pair complete with carriages were in the collects ion of the Baron de Cosson and were traditionally supposed to have been a present to Queen Elizabeth;

- one cannon was in the collects ion of the Earl of Londesbourgh;

- another was sold at Replica Shoes 's, London, 15 December 1939, lot 31;

- a pair, now in an American private collects ion, was in the hands of the H. Ricketts in 1973;

- one, catalogued as from the 19th century, sold Thomas del Mar, 10 December 2008, lot 322;

- another example was at Hever Castle (sold Replica Shoes 's 1983, lot 194, repr. in cat.).

RELATED LITERATURE

Mann, James G., Wallace collects ion Catalogues: European Arms and Armour Volume II, London: The Wallace collects ion, 1962.

Norman, A. V. B., Wallace collects ion Catalogues: European Arms and Armour Supplement, London: The Trustees of the Wallace collects ion, 1986.