Lantaka Real Vs Fake

Jim McDougall · 18th April 2014, 04:39 PM

LOL! Thanks Nando

We can both have capes of zippetee do dah knowledge on these, but with you I know better.

Nicely presented explanation on these serving in capacity other than weapons, signaling methods and gifts or presentation items.
While it seems puzzling that these would be considered as a monetary exchange, I think it was more associated with status. As you note...look how many cannons he has!!! etc.

Obviously in later, or I should say more recent, years, it has become lucrative to create fakes, as well shown in the excellent link Battara added. As collectibles and antiquities have become prime commercial merchandise as well as 'investments' the industrious charlatans of varying countries have stepped up their production.
These days caveat emptor has reached astronomical dimensions!!

In this case, much as with the often harshly and arbitrarily labeled 'tourist' pieces in edged weapons, many of these are actually still part of modern native tradition and have their own place in these cultures.

It does seem that an attractive and formidable appearing cannon such as this would be a lucrative addition to a tribal 'portfolio', despite not ever being intended for actual firing. Though not exactly the same in analogy, with American Indians wealth was often measured in horses; in other cultures sheep or cattle; and so on whether livestock or tangibles.

With these cannon it does seem a bit inconvenient using these as currency though.....I mean, what is the change in transaction for two cannon? perhaps a pistol and some ammunition?

18th April 2014, 04:39 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	LOL! Thanks Nando We can both have capes of zippetee do dah knowledge on these, but with you I know better. Nicely presented explanation on these serving in capacity other than weapons, signaling methods and gifts or presentation items. While it seems puzzling that these would be considered as a monetary exchange, I think it was more associated with status. As you note...look how many cannons he has!!! etc. Obviously in later, or I should say more recent, years, it has become lucrative to create fakes, as well shown in the excellent link Battara added. As collectibles and antiquities have become prime commercial merchandise as well as 'investments' the industrious charlatans of varying countries have stepped up their production. These days caveat emptor has reached astronomical dimensions!! In this case, much as with the often harshly and arbitrarily labeled 'tourist' pieces in edged weapons, many of these are actually still part of modern native tradition and have their own place in these cultures. It does seem that an attractive and formidable appearing cannon such as this would be a lucrative addition to a tribal 'portfolio', despite not ever being intended for actual firing. Though not exactly the same in analogy, with American Indians wealth was often measured in horses; in other cultures sheep or cattle; and so on whether livestock or tangibles. With these cannon it does seem a bit inconvenient using these as currency though.....I mean, what is the change in transaction for two cannon? perhaps a pistol and some ammunition?