17th Century Pata for discussion

CourseEight · 10th July 2008, 04:17 PM

Hi all --

I wanted to post my most prized piece in honor of my hundredth post. From what I've read, I believe that it is a late 17th century pata from Mysore or Tanjore. I was hoping that forum members could, in addition to giving their general impressions, help me out a bit with the iconography on the handle. I own a copy of Elgood's Hindu Arms and Ritual, and so I was able to identify some of it, but I am most curious about nature of the dieties(?) along each side. There are 5 in a row, and then a sixth seperated from them, on both sides. It appears they are 6 different people, with the same people being represented on both sides but in different postures. I was wondering if anyone had any guesses as to whether these were the same diety in different incarnations, or if this represented a story being told, or what.

As to what I've identified, I was also hope for confirmation that my interpretation is correct:

On one side of the portion of the handle which holds the blade is a gandabherunda, a double headed bird, this with makara heads like on pg. 176 of Elgood.

On the other side, in addition to a floral motif is a kirtimukha, as described on pgs. 133-134 (puffy cheeks, missing lower jaw, etc.)

On the front triangular portion of the gauntlet is Gajalakshmi as descibed on pg. 245 (seated, flanked by elephants with raised trunks, etc.)

As always all responses are welcome and appreciated,

--Radleigh

Atlantia · 10th July 2008, 08:30 PM

WOW!

They just don't come much better than that.
10/10

I am green with envy!

Congratulations.

fernando · 11th July 2008, 12:11 AM

Magnificent, Radleigh.
I too feel envious. Congratulations.
If you have that 17th century confirmed, you got yourself a very rare and fine item. Perhaps an European blade ... what would you say ?
Fernando

Battara · 11th July 2008, 04:29 AM

The style looks south Indian - very nice.

bhushan_lawate · 11th July 2008, 05:31 AM

Great piece....congratulataions....!!!!

The small figures that you see on the side of the arm guard are the 10 incarnations of the Hindu God Vishnu.

It is believed that Vishu incarnated in the following forms:
1. Fish
2. Tortoise.
3. Boar
4. Narshima (The Lion headed god)
5. Vaman (small man)
6. Parshuram (The Sage)
7. Ram (The ultimate example of discipline and revered human turned god; the hero of Ramayana)
8. Krishna (The lord from Mahabharata time; gave the Bhagwad Gita to the world)
9. Buddha (The enlightened one)
10. Kalki (yet to be incarnated; mythology says that he will come on a white horse drawing a flamming sword during the end of Kaliyuga.

Mythology apart these 10 incarnations are also a representation of the evolution of living beings (from aquatic life to amphibians to reptiles to humans to superhumans

The Ganda Bherunda represents the royal emblem of the Hoyasala kings (8th to 12th Century A.D) in the Deccan regions (Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh) of India.

The Gajalakshmi is a symbol of supreme wealth and is a consort of lord Vishnu.

The motifs include a lot of lotus like designs which is the favourite flower of Lakshmi.

You will also see the 'Yali' a mythological lion like animal on the sides of the guard.

Regards,
Bhushan

bhushan_lawate · 11th July 2008, 06:48 AM

Hi,

Forgot to add.

if you could give a close up of the dome of the guard i'll be able to help you with the remaining two figures as well.

The KirtiMukha can be seen even used till date adorning the elite doorways of temples and arches behind the idols of gods and goddesses...!!!!!!!!

Also let me know if you need details of the incarnations and the stories behind them

I'll suggest a Maratha origin for this piece. (Tanjore to be specific)

regards,
Bhushan

10th July 2008, 04:17 PM	#1
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	17th Century Pata for discussion Hi all -- I wanted to post my most prized piece in honor of my hundredth post. From what I've read, I believe that it is a late 17th century pata from Mysore or Tanjore. I was hoping that forum members could, in addition to giving their general impressions, help me out a bit with the iconography on the handle. I own a copy of Elgood's Hindu Arms and Ritual, and so I was able to identify some of it, but I am most curious about nature of the dieties(?) along each side. There are 5 in a row, and then a sixth seperated from them, on both sides. It appears they are 6 different people, with the same people being represented on both sides but in different postures. I was wondering if anyone had any guesses as to whether these were the same diety in different incarnations, or if this represented a story being told, or what. As to what I've identified, I was also hope for confirmation that my interpretation is correct: On one side of the portion of the handle which holds the blade is a gandabherunda, a double headed bird, this with makara heads like on pg. 176 of Elgood. On the other side, in addition to a floral motif is a kirtimukha, as described on pgs. 133-134 (puffy cheeks, missing lower jaw, etc.) On the front triangular portion of the gauntlet is Gajalakshmi as descibed on pg. 245 (seated, flanked by elephants with raised trunks, etc.) As always all responses are welcome and appreciated, --Radleigh Attached Images

10th July 2008, 08:30 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	WOW! They just don't come much better than that. 10/10 I am green with envy! Congratulations.

11th July 2008, 12:11 AM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Magnificent, Radleigh. I too feel envious. Congratulations. If you have that 17th century confirmed, you got yourself a very rare and fine item. Perhaps an European blade ... what would you say ? Fernando

11th July 2008, 04:29 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	The style looks south Indian - very nice.

11th July 2008, 05:31 AM	#5
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Great piece....congratulataions....!!!! The small figures that you see on the side of the arm guard are the 10 incarnations of the Hindu God Vishnu. It is believed that Vishu incarnated in the following forms: 1. Fish 2. Tortoise. 3. Boar 4. Narshima (The Lion headed god) 5. Vaman (small man) 6. Parshuram (The Sage) 7. Ram (The ultimate example of discipline and revered human turned god; the hero of Ramayana) 8. Krishna (The lord from Mahabharata time; gave the Bhagwad Gita to the world) 9. Buddha (The enlightened one) 10. Kalki (yet to be incarnated; mythology says that he will come on a white horse drawing a flamming sword during the end of Kaliyuga. Mythology apart these 10 incarnations are also a representation of the evolution of living beings (from aquatic life to amphibians to reptiles to humans to superhumans The Ganda Bherunda represents the royal emblem of the Hoyasala kings (8th to 12th Century A.D) in the Deccan regions (Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh) of India. The Gajalakshmi is a symbol of supreme wealth and is a consort of lord Vishnu. The motifs include a lot of lotus like designs which is the favourite flower of Lakshmi. You will also see the 'Yali' a mythological lion like animal on the sides of the guard. Regards, Bhushan

11th July 2008, 06:48 AM	#6
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Hi, Forgot to add. if you could give a close up of the dome of the guard i'll be able to help you with the remaining two figures as well. The KirtiMukha can be seen even used till date adorning the elite doorways of temples and arches behind the idols of gods and goddesses...!!!!!!!! Also let me know if you need details of the incarnations and the stories behind them I'll suggest a Maratha origin for this piece. (Tanjore to be specific) regards, Bhushan