NORTH INDIA OR DECCAN, PROBABLY 18TH CENTURY

Details

A GOLD OVERLAID STEEL MACE
NORTH INDIA OR DECCAN, PROBABLY 18TH CENTURY
The cylindrical grip with traces of gold overlay in floral patterns, the fluted mid-section with carved trefoils and traces of gold overlay, the head with similar fluting and trefoil decoration, topped with bud finial, with internal parts that make a clear ringing sound when the mace is swung
24 ¾in. (63cm.) long

Provenance

Collection of Prince Charles, Count of Flanders (d.1983)

Literature

Howard Ricketts and Philippe Missillier, Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988, no.25

Exhibited

Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

The decorative complexity of the present mace suggests it is part of a group of maces which can be attributed to the Deccan, 17th or 18th century. Two other examples in this group are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (36.25.1874 and 36.149.3) and a fine watered steel example in a private collection (Bashir Mohamed, Arms and Armour of the Muslim Knight, vol.3, 2025, pp.62-63).

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