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Gold-Overlaid & Inscribed Iron Spear Butt
India (probably Rajasthan)
16th-17th century
height: 27cm, weight: 1.218kg
Heavy spear butts such as this example were used to counterbalance the weight of a spear head. This example has 25 applied radiating edges with gold
highlights and bordered by bands of applied gold decoration; a long, plain solid-cast tip; and a serrated, lotus-like rim with gold highlights.
The butt is also decorated with two bands of Sanskrit in overlaid gold. An approximate translation of the script is as follows:
'Vundindra Ram('s) son - warrior named Arjun Singh - (to him) this spear is entrusted - to the noble youngster - this one friend (may prove to be) terrible (and)
dreadful (and help in) subduing others in the battlefield. Sri Hari'.
This is an inscription that identifies the owner of the spear. The name suggests a Rajput noble/warrior from a Rajput kingdom from Western or Central India or
the Deccan. Sri Hari at the end refers to Lord Krishna - Arjuna's charioteer in the battles of the Mahabharata. This further hints at a Rajput association
because most Rajput kings were ardent worshippers of Krishna in various forms.
Elgood (2004, p. 193) illustrates a spear btut of broadly similar form which is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
References: Elgood, R., Hindu Arms and Ritual: Arms and Armour from India 1400-1865, Eburon, 2004.
Note: this item comes with an attractive clear plastic custom-made stand.
Inventory no.: 873
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Gold-Overlaid & Inscribed Iron Spear Butt
India (probably Rajasthan)
16th-17th century
height: 27cm, weight: 1.218kg
Heavy spear butts such as this example were used to counterbalance the weight of a spear head. This example has 25 applied radiating edges with gold
highlights and bordered by bands of applied gold decoration; a long, plain solid-cast tip; and a serrated, lotus-like rim with gold highlights.
The butt is also decorated with two bands of Sanskrit in overlaid gold. An approximate translation of the script is as follows:
'Vundindra Ram('s) son - warrior named Arjun Singh - (to him) this spear is entrusted - to the noble youngster - this one friend (may prove to be) terrible (and)
dreadful (and help in) subduing others in the battlefield. Sri Hari'.
This is an inscription that identifies the owner of the spear. The name suggests a Rajput noble/warrior from a Rajput kingdom from Western or Central India or
the Deccan. Sri Hari at the end refers to Lord Krishna - Arjuna's charioteer in the battles of the Mahabharata. This further hints at a Rajput association
because most Rajput kings were ardent worshippers of Krishna in various forms.
Elgood (2004, p. 193) illustrates a spear btut of broadly similar form which is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
References: Elgood, R., Hindu Arms and Ritual: Arms and Armour from India 1400-1865, Eburon, 2004.
Note: this item comes with an attractive clear plastic custom-made stand.
Inventory no.: 873
This Item is available - Ask about this item
