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Lot Essay
The cartouche reads : Akhada digammvara, Srimahamta Raghu Bidas citra, Chitrakoot khakh cauk, Jeelabandha, post Chhetapur taluk These two soontas may have belonged to a high religious headman belonging to a Shaiva Akhara.
The attribution of the maces to a religious figure is difficult and is proposed on the basis that akhada, or akhara, is meant to signify in these soontas' context a body of sadhus, organised around a chosen major deity such as Shiva, Vishnu or Brahma. Another possible translation for akhada or akhara is gymnasium or wrestling arena. Similar soontas, although less finely worked, were sold in Christie's South Kensington, 7 October 2011, lot 433.
The attribution of the maces to a religious figure is difficult and is proposed on the basis that akhada, or akhara, is meant to signify in these soontas' context a body of sadhus, organised around a chosen major deity such as Shiva, Vishnu or Brahma. Another possible translation for akhada or akhara is gymnasium or wrestling arena. Similar soontas, although less finely worked, were sold in Christie's South Kensington, 7 October 2011, lot 433.