TWO CEREMONIAL SILVER GILT MACES WITH ORIGINAL CASES

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.