The Cannonball from the French Invasion: Between History and Public Value
The recent sale in Campinas of a cannonball used in the French invasion of Rio de Janeiro has reignited interest in objects that carry, in their metal or wood, entire chapters of Brazil’s colonial history. Purchased for R$ 2,100 (about € 330.72 and $ 388.72 USD) — a price that reaches R$ 2,205 (about € 347.00 and $ 408.00 USD) with the legal 5 % fee included — the piece made news not just for its relatively modest price but for the symbolism attached to its war-time past.
This artifact is not just a piece of iron: it is a material fragment of a confrontation that placed Rio de Janeiro under fire and threat from the French corsairs commanded by René Duguay-Trouin, acting under the direct orders of Louis XIV, the famed Sun King.
The cannonball, made of cast iron, measures about 17 centimeters in diameter and weighs nearly 15 kilos. One detail draws experts’ attention: the inscription “France” engraved on its surface. According to historians, this confirms that the raiders who attacked Rio in 1711 were not independent pirates or hired adventurers but official agents of the French state. The attack, therefore, was an organized military action, reinforcing the strategic importance France placed on maritime control and colonial disputes in the early 18th century.
The artifact also has a curious recent backstory. According to the Dargent Leilões auction house, the cannonball was discovered in the 1950s during excavations near the São Bento Monastery in Rio de Janeiro by geologist Antonio Carlos Muniz. The discovery location is not trivial: in that region, the city’s defending forces tried to resist the French bombardment from the sea. Due to its weight and characteristics, the piece corresponds to the type of ammunition used by the 17 warships that invaded Guanabara Bay, overcame the Portuguese defenses, and subdued the city. The plunder carried out by the French included demanding ransom from residents and destroying a significant portion of the urban area.
The auction reignited debates about the cultural value of historical objects. Although sold for just over two thousand reais, the cannonball represents an episode that shaped the collective memory of Rio de Janeiro. At a time when museums, archives, and cultural centers struggle to preserve collections, the appearance of items like this on the private market raises important questions: Who should own historical objects? What is the proper destination for pieces that represent a nation’s formation — and its conflicts? How can the right of ownership be balanced with the preservation of memory?
The case’s repercussions prompted the Rio de Janeiro City Hall to act swiftly. In a rare gesture, a municipal decree was published that expropriates the cannonball and declares it a public utility asset, recognizing its historical and symbolic value for the city. The goal is to ensure that the artifact remains in Rio and eventually becomes part of a museum collection or public exhibition, where its history can be contextualized and shared with future generations.
Thus, the episode transcends the simple act of buying and selling: it reveals the struggle for preserving memory, the fascination with traces of the past, and the responsibility of public institutions to ensure that these objects remain accessible witnesses to Brazilian history.
Publicar comentário