Hand Cannon
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Bronze, wood
Dimensions
L 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm);
Classification
Firearms-Hand Cannon
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Accession Number
32.75.238
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Japanese hand cannon, dating to the 19th century, exemplifies the fusion of artistry and functionality in Arms and Armor. Crafted bronze and wood, it measures 18 3/4 inches in length, making it a compact yet formidable handheld firearm. The bronze barrel likely provided durability and a resonant finish, while the wooden stock offered ergonomic balance for the user—hallmarks of Japanese metalworking and woodworking traditions refined over centuries. In 19th-century Japan during the late Edo period transitioning to the Meiji Restoration, hand cannons like this represented the evo...