A FINE INDIAN GOLD INLAID STEEL ELEPHANT GOAD (ankus) HEAD, of grooved finely watered steel, the quillons integrally cast at the base of the blade terminating in dragons' heads, the solid flat-sided socket with central hole completely covered with figural designs on a solid gold inlaid ground, the main sides each with an animal combat cartouche within floral spandrels, paired birds and bird combat groups below, the holed sides with palmette vine below an elegant nasta'liq inscription cartouche, the reverse with a raised lozenge showing a tiger attacking a gazelle, the spandrels with palmettes, 18th century, (very slight damage to inlay, otherwise excellent condition), associated leather covered wooden sheath