1580/1600
Master Dodemont of Normandy French, active mid-16th century
France
A mask, the open mouth of which acts as a vent for the cannon, is chiseled in relief at the breech end of the barrel. Inscribed above the mask is the name Dodeman, which could be the name of either the artist or the owner of the cannon. Skillfully chased and sculpted on a stippled ground are relief figures—a warrior in classical armor holding a shield and wielding a sword, a figure of Fame standing on a helmet and breastplate under a canopy, and a figure of Victory. A rare feature of this finely cast and chased bronze cannon is the field carriage with old nails that appears to be original.
Bronze, wood, and iron