Indian Ceremonial Brass/Bronze Spear head ??

katana · 22nd November 2007, 07:22 PM

Could this be a ceremonial spear/lance head from India or neighbouring countries.

OAL 16" (approx 41cms)
maximum width 4 3/4 " (12cms)
socket diameter (to fix to shaft) approx 1.5" (3.8 cms)
Blade approx. 8" (20cms)

Any ideas, thank you

katana · 24th November 2007, 03:34 PM

Bump

Have I got this wrong, are there no examples of Indo Persian parade /ceremonial brass spearheads (or perhaps a flag/banner finial) with which I can compare this one to ?

The socket size is too large for a curtain rod finial

... I hope

In the close up photo ..the 'cut out' sections could easily be representations of eyes and a nose, there area below the nose has a 'feline jaw' look about it ...with whiskers ......a tiger ?

Has anyone any ideas..... good ...or bad

Regards David

Jens Nordlunde · 24th November 2007, 04:02 PM

Hi David,

To me it looks like two birds, maybe peacocks, but the casting looks rather crude – is it?

Jens

Jim McDougall · 24th November 2007, 05:50 PM

This does seem to be a ceremonial or parade weapon, probably from southern India or quite possibly Sinhalan. I dont have the resource on Sinhalese weapons handy but I think there may be similar forms shown there:
"Sinhala Weapons and Armour" P.E.P. Deraniyagala
Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society
Vol. XXXV, #95, Part 3, Dec.1942

The banded shaft socket seems characteristic of these South Indian and Ceylonese polearms.

David's observation that the decoration on this piece is possibly the face of the tiger is very astute, though this does not seem to be the case here.The kirtimukha (stylized lion mask) is often employed as motif on arms and over temple gateways and the differentiation between tiger and lion seems in degree unclear in reviewing the complexities of stylized motif in Indian art.

While I cannot see the imagery of the peacock noted by Jens, and agree the casting seems crude, I agree that the motif may be that of the peacock feathers, presented symmetrically of course. Peacock feathers carried most important symbolism in Hindu art, and especially on weapons as the peacock represented Karttikeya, the god of war, and Son of Siva. The feathers were often used as an insignia of kingship, with deeper symbolism of immortality and power.

Best regards,
Jim

katana · 24th November 2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Hi David,

To me it looks like two birds, maybe peacocks, but the casting looks rather crude – is it?

Jens

Hi Jens,
nice to hear from you

I think you're right,

birds it is

I don't have it in my possession at the moment, I am informed that it appears relatively old, and the casting has been 'knocked around' . The photo does suggest crude casting, but I'm not certain whether it is minor damage or poorly made

Are there brass ceremonial weapons in Indo Persian culture?

Have Peacocks a symbollic or cultural meaning ?

Kind Regards David

katana · 24th November 2007, 06:21 PM

Hi Jim

,
seems we posted at the same time ..... interesting points about the kirtimukha and the information about the peacock symbolism. Thank you

The design could be a sort of morphic combination of tiger(lion) /peacock

The design of the socket does indeed make me think of Southern India, had never considered Ceylon

Kind Regards David

Jens Nordlunde · 24th November 2007, 09:31 PM

Hi David,

The tiger, the lion and the peacock were royal animals. The horse as well if I remember correctly. Besides, the peacock is a very good watch bird, as it makes an awful noise when it is disturbed.

Well said Jim, you don’t seem to need all your books

.

Jens

22nd November 2007, 07:22 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Indian Ceremonial Brass/Bronze Spear head ?? Could this be a ceremonial spear/lance head from India or neighbouring countries. OAL 16" (approx 41cms) maximum width 4 3/4 " (12cms) socket diameter (to fix to shaft) approx 1.5" (3.8 cms) Blade approx. 8" (20cms) Any ideas, thank you Attached Images

24th November 2007, 03:34 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Bump Have I got this wrong, are there no examples of Indo Persian parade /ceremonial brass spearheads (or perhaps a flag/banner finial) with which I can compare this one to ? The socket size is too large for a curtain rod finial ... I hope In the close up photo ..the 'cut out' sections could easily be representations of eyes and a nose, there area below the nose has a 'feline jaw' look about it ...with whiskers ......a tiger ? Has anyone any ideas..... good ...or bad Regards David Attached Images Last edited by katana; 24th November 2007 at 03:55 PM.

24th November 2007, 09:31 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi David, The tiger, the lion and the peacock were royal animals. The horse as well if I remember correctly. Besides, the peacock is a very good watch bird, as it makes an awful noise when it is disturbed. Well said Jim, you don’t seem to need all your books. Jens

24th November 2007, 04:02 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi David, To me it looks like two birds, maybe peacocks, but the casting looks rather crude – is it? Jens

24th November 2007, 05:50 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	This does seem to be a ceremonial or parade weapon, probably from southern India or quite possibly Sinhalan. I dont have the resource on Sinhalese weapons handy but I think there may be similar forms shown there: "Sinhala Weapons and Armour" P.E.P. Deraniyagala Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society Vol. XXXV, #95, Part 3, Dec.1942 The banded shaft socket seems characteristic of these South Indian and Ceylonese polearms. David's observation that the decoration on this piece is possibly the face of the tiger is very astute, though this does not seem to be the case here.The kirtimukha (stylized lion mask) is often employed as motif on arms and over temple gateways and the differentiation between tiger and lion seems in degree unclear in reviewing the complexities of stylized motif in Indian art. While I cannot see the imagery of the peacock noted by Jens, and agree the casting seems crude, I agree that the motif may be that of the peacock feathers, presented symmetrically of course. Peacock feathers carried most important symbolism in Hindu art, and especially on weapons as the peacock represented Karttikeya, the god of war, and Son of Siva. The feathers were often used as an insignia of kingship, with deeper symbolism of immortality and power. Best regards, Jim

24th November 2007, 06:21 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Jim , seems we posted at the same time ..... interesting points about the kirtimukha and the information about the peacock symbolism. Thank you The design could be a sort of morphic combination of tiger(lion) /peacock The design of the socket does indeed make me think of Southern India, had never considered Ceylon Kind Regards David