Mace, Ritual Device, etc.?

ALEX · 15th May 2017, 10:23 AM

Here's what appears to be a mace by form. Metal spiked shaft, engraved near wooden head, with metal chains with imitation coin finials. The imitation coins look to be European with Cyrillic letters. The shaft and wooden head show some age, I'd estimate at least 19th Century. My guess it is a mace, perhaps Afghani or Persian, or could be ritual device, like self-flagellation for Ashura religious festival, a rattle toy, etc. Anyone knows what it is or has a reference?
Many thanks

thinreadline · 19th May 2017, 01:27 AM

any chance of a good close up of one of the coins ?

Drabant1701 · 19th May 2017, 07:45 AM

I cant tell you what it is but a similar sold at auction not to long ago (not to me). Posting a picture of it. I does look a little Indo-Persian.

ALEX · 19th May 2017, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drabant1701

I cant tell you what it is but a similar sold at auction not to long ago (not to me). Posting a picture of it. I does look a little Indo-Persian.

Thank you very much! It looks similar indeed.

Thinreadline, thank you also. I will post closeups of the "imitation coins" later.

Richard G · 20th May 2017, 01:49 PM

This is just a suggestion, and I can see the problems with it, but could it be a falcon's perch?
Regards
Richard

colin henshaw · 20th May 2017, 06:26 PM

I believe this is a ritual self-flagellation implement as mentioned by ALEX. I've seen some similar with crocodile skin wrapped around, described as being Sudanese. However, I don't know of any references or concrete evidence.

ALEX · 20th May 2017, 06:59 PM

Richard,
Interesting, I also thought of falcon's perch. I saw a few, and they do have spikes to be pushed into the ground, although the top is almost always has horizontal bar for falcon's claws to grab comfortably. The wooden ball with chains may make it uncomfortable for the bird to land on.

Colin,
I also saw similar devices as being described as self-flagellation for Ashura, although with longer chains. Mine has quite short links, although this may have be intended due to ceremonial purposes.
I also have not seen any viable references or more detailed descriptions for these.

Also, here are closeups of the coins. They do not look Eastern.

colin henshaw · 21st May 2017, 10:22 AM

This example was sold recently, described as Mahdist.

Will M · 23rd May 2017, 07:52 PM

I can't help but think the pointed shaft is meant to go into flesh. Lance and spear pointed shaft sure suggests this.

David · 23rd May 2017, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will M

I can't help but think the pointed shaft is meant to go into flesh. Lance and spear pointed shaft sure suggests this.

Well i don't know what this is exactly, but i can't help but think the pointed shaft is meant to go into the ground. So sort of ritual stake. I don't think this is a weapon at all.

15th May 2017, 10:23 AM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Mace, Ritual Device, etc.? Here's what appears to be a mace by form. Metal spiked shaft, engraved near wooden head, with metal chains with imitation coin finials. The imitation coins look to be European with Cyrillic letters. The shaft and wooden head show some age, I'd estimate at least 19th Century. My guess it is a mace, perhaps Afghani or Persian, or could be ritual device, like self-flagellation for Ashura religious festival, a rattle toy, etc. Anyone knows what it is or has a reference? Many thanks Attached Images

19th May 2017, 07:45 AM	#3
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	I cant tell you what it is but a similar sold at auction not to long ago (not to me). Posting a picture of it. I does look a little Indo-Persian. Attached Images

20th May 2017, 06:59 PM	#7
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Richard, Interesting, I also thought of falcon's perch. I saw a few, and they do have spikes to be pushed into the ground, although the top is almost always has horizontal bar for falcon's claws to grab comfortably. The wooden ball with chains may make it uncomfortable for the bird to land on. Colin, I also saw similar devices as being described as self-flagellation for Ashura, although with longer chains. Mine has quite short links, although this may have be intended due to ceremonial purposes. I also have not seen any viable references or more detailed descriptions for these. Also, here are closeups of the coins. They do not look Eastern. Attached Images

21st May 2017, 10:22 AM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	This example was sold recently, described as Mahdist. Attached Images

19th May 2017, 01:27 AM	#2
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	any chance of a good close up of one of the coins ?

20th May 2017, 01:49 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 406	This is just a suggestion, and I can see the problems with it, but could it be a falcon's perch? Regards Richard

20th May 2017, 06:26 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	I believe this is a ritual self-flagellation implement as mentioned by ALEX. I've seen some similar with crocodile skin wrapped around, described as being Sudanese. However, I don't know of any references or concrete evidence.

23rd May 2017, 07:52 PM	#9
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	I can't help but think the pointed shaft is meant to go into flesh. Lance and spear pointed shaft sure suggests this.