December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
Approximate measurements are 53" from muzzle to cascabel, 40" from hub-to-hub, approximately 32" tall at the muzzle, and 65" from front of carriage to tail. Friedrich of Prague, Baron of Windhag, was the son of Andreas of Prague, a nobleman associating with the Salzburg Archbishop Matthaus Lang von Wellenburg, who himself was the son of Ladislaus Prager, an important nobleman with vast wealth and land holdings. On his death, Ladislaus's extensive holdings were split up amongst his family, and Andreas received the Windhag estate, which he passed to Friedrich on his death. Friedrich inherited significant debt from his father and accumulated more during his life, so much so that the estate was seized in 1597 and sold in 1616. This cannon is boldly emblazoned "GOTTES GNADE IST GROS" (trans: God's grace is great) over Friedrich's coat of arms, depicting monkeys on a chain (derived from Ladislaus's coat of arms; see the frescos in the Prager tomb at Altenburg and Riestaps Armorial General, Vols. V-VI, Plate XCII), with a knightly helmet and florals. Bottom banner reads "FRIDRICH VON PRAG FREYHERR ZV WINDHAGG ANNO 1582". This cannon is in 4 stages, dressed at the turned cannon muzzle with a cast band of florals, interwoven with a greenman face. Dolphin form carry handles, with cascabel also depicting a human face. Mounted on a later field carriage with rosette decorations along the body. CONDITION: Very good, with cannon turning a smooth deep-green patina throughout. Some rubbing to bronze at rear where it touches carriage. Bore has detritus in it, but is otherwise very clean and smooth. Carriage is good, wheels are cracked and should be tended to. Cannon were often used to display material wealth, with wealthier families owning larger and more ornate cannon, and this is an excellent example, particularly as authentic 16th-century cannon are few and far between. This is a particularly good example, as it has been kept inside for the last 58 years, avoiding exposure to the elements, and is a good size. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by a letter from Sotheby's when this cannon was offered to them in 1989, discussing some history of it.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.