17th Century Pata for discussion

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

VANDOO · 11th July 2008, 07:53 AM

CONGRADULATIONS AN A IMPRESSIVE 100TH POST AND SWORD. WHAT A BEAUTY I WANT ONE!!

katana · 11th July 2008, 11:57 AM

FABULOUS ! fantastic example, congrats CourseEight ... add another to the list of 'Envious'

Regards David

CourseEight · 11th July 2008, 05:22 PM

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Thanks especially bhushan_lawate! You have definitely answered many of my questions, and of course I am happy to hear anything more about the iconography that you care to tell me!

I have zoomed in on the two unidentified figures remaining, and though one is a bit blurry, I hope it is sufficient for you to help with them as well!

Fernando, I do think the blade is probably European, but there are no makings on it. It's about 94 cm in length, thin and flexible, with a shallow fuller on either side that appears to extend under the guard attachment. There is evidence it may be pattern welded, but I'm not sure.

Thanks again, everyone,

--Radleigh

bhushan_lawate · 11th July 2008, 06:09 PM

Hello,

The first pic is of 'Hanuman' the monkey headed lord. Assisted Rama in his conquest of Lanka...!!!!

The second ones a lil too blurred however I guess it belongs to Hanuman too.

A little clearer picture should help.

I must confess I'm very jealous...!!!!

Regards,
Bhushan

11th July 2008, 05:22 PM	#8
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Thanks especially bhushan_lawate! You have definitely answered many of my questions, and of course I am happy to hear anything more about the iconography that you care to tell me! I have zoomed in on the two unidentified figures remaining, and though one is a bit blurry, I hope it is sufficient for you to help with them as well! Fernando, I do think the blade is probably European, but there are no makings on it. It's about 94 cm in length, thin and flexible, with a shallow fuller on either side that appears to extend under the guard attachment. There is evidence it may be pattern welded, but I'm not sure. Thanks again, everyone, --Radleigh Attached Images

10th July 2008, 08:30 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,323	The style looks south Indian - very nice.

11th July 2008, 05:31 AM	#4
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	#5
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

11th July 2008, 07:53 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS AN A IMPRESSIVE 100TH POST AND SWORD. WHAT A BEAUTY I WANT ONE!!

11th July 2008, 11:57 AM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	FABULOUS ! fantastic example, congrats CourseEight ... add another to the list of 'Envious' Regards David

11th July 2008, 06:09 PM	#9
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Hello, The first pic is of 'Hanuman' the monkey headed lord. Assisted Rama in his conquest of Lanka...!!!! The second ones a lil too blurred however I guess it belongs to Hanuman too. A little clearer picture should help. I must confess I'm very jealous...!!!! Regards, Bhushan