An Antique Child’s Toy – Made As A Rare 17th-Century Antique Bronze Miniature Mortar Cannon – Spanish or Portuguese Origin

A rare and evocative 17th-century continental bronze miniature mortar cannon, possibly crafted as a child’s toy or symbolic military keepsake. Cast in solid bronze with a rich, aged patina, this diminutive piece reflects the martial aesthetics of the period while offering a glimpse into early European traditions of toy-making and ceremonial objects.

Its form is consistent with Spanish or Portuguese design, and the cannon’s proportions suggest it may have been produced for a young noble or as a decorative item symbolizing military prestige. The craftsmanship is crisp, with well-defined contours and a weighty feel despite its small scale. A fascinating blend of militaria and domestic charm, ideal for collectors of antique weaponry, toys, or continental bronzework.

The Spaniard, Luis Collado, mathematician, historian, native of Lebrija in Andalusia, and, in 1592, royal engineer of His Catholic Majesty’s Army in Lombardy and Piedmont, defined artillery broadly as “a machine of infinite importance.” Ordnance he divided into three classes, admittedly following the rules of the “German masters, who were admired above any other nation for their founding and handling of artillery.” Culverins and sakers were guns of the first class, designed to strike the enemy from long range. The battering cannon were second class pieces; they were to destroy forts and walls and dismount the enemy’s machines. Third class guns fired stone balls to break and sink ships and defend batteries from assault; such guns included the pedrero, mortar, and bombard.

This mortar cannon comes under the “third class gun” classification.

The cast barrel with flared muzzle with one inch bore and cast with two reinforcement rings and trunions terminates with a bulbous breech and pan at its tip. The barrel is decorated with scrolling decoration between the two reinforcement rings and the base is also decorated with an armorial device at the breech with a coronet above a shield, the shield decorated with a castellated tower.

Provenance: 17th Century, Spanish or Portuguese. 

Condition: Good as per the images. The bronze has built up a lovely age-related patination. Lacking it’s wooden carriage. A further detailed condition report is available upon request. 

Size: Length 9 cm (3 1/2″)