Model of a Slide and Carriage for a 30-Pounder Carronade 1820

This is a Model of a Slide and Carriage for a 30-Pounder Carronade by W.H. Sesseler. The absence of a specific date invites us to consider the shifting contexts of military technology and its representation. During the height of European colonialism and naval expansion, carronades were instrumental in maritime warfare, and this model offers a glimpse into that history. Looking at this piece now, we have to consider the intricate relationship between technological advancement and the perpetuation of colonial power. The carronade was a tool of empire, facilitating the movement of goods, the enforcement of trade routes, and, of course, violence. The creation and display of such a model reflect a society deeply invested in its military capabilities. In an era of escalating global conflicts, where control of the seas was synonymous with economic and political dominance, envisioning this object as a symbol of power is inevitable. This model invites a reflection on the cost of progress and power, and how these objects come to embody the weight of history and human experience.