Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Indo-Persian ? SEA? Pole arm head?

B.I · 24th January 2007, 09:17 AM

Hi Jim,
It's hard to say more on the spear, as there are no definitive and defining features. Maybe the decoration on the shaft?
The way the shaft envelopes the blade either side, is mimicking a South Indian Motif, of a 'Makara/Yali' head, symmetrically supporting the blade.
Strangely enough, I have been looking into North Indian ankuses, investigating a particular piece, and found there is a wealth of contemporary imagery, mostly from Rajput source (although Mughal as well). The miniatures are very clear, showing full battle scenes involving weaponry and modes of fighting with elephants.
I would this this would be a good place to start looking for more information on 'elephant spears'.

24th January 2007, 09:17 AM	#12
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	Hi Jim, It's hard to say more on the spear, as there are no definitive and defining features. Maybe the decoration on the shaft? The way the shaft envelopes the blade either side, is mimicking a South Indian Motif, of a 'Makara/Yali' head, symmetrically supporting the blade. Strangely enough, I have been looking into North Indian ankuses, investigating a particular piece, and found there is a wealth of contemporary imagery, mostly from Rajput source (although Mughal as well). The miniatures are very clear, showing full battle scenes involving weaponry and modes of fighting with elephants. I would this this would be a good place to start looking for more information on 'elephant spears'.