Live Auction 2581Art & Textiles of The Islamic & Indian Worlds Including Works From The Collection of The Late Simon Digby
TWO CEREMONIAL SILVER GILT MACES WITH ORIGINAL CASES
Lot 433

TWO CEREMONIAL SILVER GILT MACES WITH ORIGINAL CASES

PROBABLY DECCAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Closed7 October 2011

Price Realised

GBP 13,750

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TWO CEREMONIAL SILVER GILT MACES WITH ORIGINAL CASES
PROBABLY DECCAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY
The thick silver sheet chased and embossed, the handle with spirals alternating with spiralling floral bands, the top with stylized tiger's head above a row of acanthus leaves, one with bulbous knop at end, with red quilted cloth cases
Each 31¼in. (79.5cm.) approx. (2)

Specialist note

Similar maces of office are in the Wallace Collection (Mughal Silver Magnificence (XVI-XIXth C.), exhibition catalogue, London, 1987, cat.43, p.64). Called soonta or souta, they were part of the ceremonial regalia and were carried by a court dignitary, the Soonta Berdar. This official function, together with that of Ceremonial staff of office Bearer (chodbar), was one of the most important in princely courts in India. Staves and maces were always made in pairs.