WWA Info Exchange

For Woodworkers By Woodworkers
It is currently Tue Mar 19, 2024 4:57 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Help with translation
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:00 am 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:48 pm
Posts: 1145
Location: Cypress, TX
I am trying to figure out what an inscription on a bronze cannon barrel says.
I believe it to be Arabic but feel free to advise me if you think differently.

The two lines start off the same way. I think that first word is "Allah".

Any help out there?
Zulu

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

_________________
Zulu's website
http://www.jmelledge.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:02 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 12:01 am
Posts: 3483
Location: Sacramento, CA
I don't have any idea what the inscription reads.
However, the fellow at the muzzle appears to be more from the Indian subcontinent than the Middle East.
The shape of the mustache and the gem on the forehead of both he and the "lion" lead me to that conclusion.

Whatever it is ... it's a beautiful piece of work!

Just looked ... you may be correct (there is an inscription at this link):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah

_________________
~Dan.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:28 pm 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 1:01 am
Posts: 11360
Location: Hamilton, MS
DMoening wrote:
I don't have any idea what the inscription reads.
However, the fellow at the muzzle appears to be more from the Indian subcontinent than the Middle East.
The shape of the mustache and the gem on the forehead of both he and the "lion" lead me to that conclusion.

Whatever it is ... it's a beautiful piece of work!

Just looked ... you may be correct (there is an inscription at this link):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah


Islam constitutes about 14% of the India population today and about 4 centuries ago the northern parts of India were ruled by Muslims, so it could easily be Islamic or Arabic script on a canon made in India. I'd suggest taking it to a knowledgeable museum or university.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 1:49 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:44 am
Posts: 3951
Location: Skagit Co WA
Doesn't look like Arabic to me, Z. Can you identify what country it came from?

_________________
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:45 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 12:01 am
Posts: 3483
Location: Sacramento, CA
Quote:
about 4 centuries ago the northern parts of India were ruled by Muslims


I'll admit to being somewhat ignorant of the history of the Indian subcontinent.
So apparently gunpowder artillery was introduced to India by the Mughals:

https://chalklands.wordpress.com/catego ... artillery/

In the link above are a few pictures that have similar decoration to Zulu's cannon, circa 18th century.
In several internet searches I've found any number of highly decorated Indian cannon ... but only a few with both animal style muzzles and breeches.
Interesting.

Here's one attributed to "Tipu Sultan" on a broken Pinterest page:
Image
Image

_________________
~Dan.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:13 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:48 pm
Posts: 1145
Location: Cypress, TX
DMoening wrote:
Quote:
about 4 centuries ago the northern parts of India were ruled by Muslims


I'll admit to being somewhat ignorant of the history of the Indian subcontinent.
So apparently gunpowder artillery was introduced to India by the Mughals:

https://chalklands.wordpress.com/catego ... artillery/

In the link above are a few pictures that have similar decoration to Zulu's cannon, circa 18th century.
In several internet searches I've found any number of highly decorated Indian cannon ... but only a few with both animal style muzzles and breeches.
Interesting.

Here's one attributed to "Tipu Sultan" on a broken Pinterest page:
Image
Image



All the pictures in that link were Photobucket blanks.

The barrel I have is trying to be one of Tipu Sultan’s cannons, many of which were captured by the British East India Company’s troops in the siege of Seringapatam in 1799. Tipu Sultan was killed in the siege. His bronze artillery pieces were beautiful sculptures (castings really but you know what I mean.). All of the tubes I’ve seen were in the form of tigers, with muzzle, cascabel, and both trunnions in the form of tiger’s heads.

While the owner of the barrel thinks it is authentic, after looking at it, I do not believe so.
It's still a pretty cool barrel.
Zulu

_________________
Zulu's website
http://www.jmelledge.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:08 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 12:01 am
Posts: 3483
Location: Sacramento, CA
Quote:
All the pictures in that link were Photobucket blanks.


Oh, sorry ... I guess I didn't notice they were hosted there as I use a Chrome extension to fix them:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/deta ... apbifiaedg

_________________
~Dan.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 11:44 am 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:51 pm
Posts: 661
Hmmm, I passed this by a lanuage specialist I know.

He looked at it long and hard and came to the conclusion that it said,


When in doubt , drink heavily

:lol:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 2:43 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:48 pm
Posts: 1145
Location: Cypress, TX
I still need to find out what it says.
I thought about joining a Muslim discussion forum I found and asking about it but after thinking about it, I decided not to. :shock:

I finished the naval carriage for it today. As soon as I get some pictures, I'll post them.
Zulu

_________________
Zulu's website
http://www.jmelledge.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group