SPANISH LIGNUM VITAE 12 POUNDER CANNONBALL, SANTO DOMINGO,1600’s

Description

SPANISH LIGNUM VITAE 12 POUNDER CANNONBALL, SANTO DOMINGO,1600’s
This VERY rare Spanish Lignum Vitae (Ironwood) 12 cannonball was made by the local Taino natives at Santo Domingo de Guzman, (then called) Hispania, (modern day Santo Domingo) for the Spanish fleet.                                                                                          It is in good condition, is 4 9/16” diameter & is so hard & dense that it sinks in water with many hand carving marks & has a dark brown color.                                                The Spanish used these as incendiary cannonballs as they would catch fire when fired & would set enemy ships on fire.                                                                            I have collected cannonballs for many years & have only found 4 of these very rare cannonballs!