Elephant Goad, Ankus?

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Could it be a pangolin?
Regards
Richard

Anything, I think. This is a late item. All semantic connections are already lost.

[Tim Simmons]

Just does not look strong enough.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Just does not look strong enough.

Let's talk more boldly - it looks somewhat souvenir. Too flimsy for an item to be used to control an elephant.

[drac2k]

It may be a souvenir item, probably 19th century, but flimsy it is not. It looks as if this has been repaired & reinforced afterward, indicating that this was a working item.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by drac2k

It may be a souvenir item, probably 19th century, but flimsy it is not. It looks as if this has been repaired & reinforced afterward, indicating that this was a working item.

Hello. Do you know the principle of using the ankus? The hook must be sharp so that the elephant feels through the thick skin the pricks that the mahout (the person who controls the elephant) inflicts.

[drac2k]

Hello back. Yes, I am aware of how the goad is used; if you look closely you can see that the tip has been broken(probably from misuse). As I am sure that you are also aware, often the Elephant and the rider have a bond, and a mere nudge or prod from the ankus is enough to direct the animal, much as spurs to a horse.
I also acknowledge that my goad(if that is what it is), may have been ceremonial and not for everyday use.

[drac2k]

The pangolin attribution is a good one, however, for me, the bulbous nose doesn't quite fit the animal's profile which has a more tapered nose. Let me clarify; the bulbous nose of my creature as opposed to that of the pangolin.