A DRAGON-HEADED CURVED HANDLE

PROBABLY BIJAPUR, DECCAN, LATE 16TH OR EARLY 17TH CENTURY

细节

A DRAGON-HEADED CURVED HANDLE
PROBABLY BIJAPUR, DECCAN, LATE 16TH OR EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Composed of three cast iron sections, an attachment shaft with a loop, a ribbed circular disk fitted around the shaft and a suspended curved handle with animated dragon-headed terminals at each end, each with raised ribbed horns, curved tongue and pointed teeth protruding from the upper pointed jaw, one horn missing, otherwise in very good condition
7in. (18.5cm.) long

拍品专文

Later examples of dragon-headed finials attributed to 18th Century Hyderabad are published in Mark Zebrowski's seminal work on Indian Metalwork (Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1987, pl. 542, p.329). The majority of the dragon finials published by Zebrowski are associated with 'alam processional standards. Our handle however shows more direct influence from Iran and appears to predate the later style of the finials attributed to Hyderabad. For an example of a Safavid 'alam attributed to the 17th century with similar inspired dragon-head finials which sold at Christie's, King Street, see 11 October 2005, lot 116.