A fine and heavy Zoomorphic Bichwa (Scorpion tail) dagger from India. Very well constructed of rare and unusual sculpture form. The three Peacocks and two monster heads are reminiscent of work emanating from South India, notably from the Tanjore (Thanjavur) armoury that was dispersed in the 19th Century with most surviving pieces residing in the Madras Government Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Peacocks or (Paravani) are Hindu symbols of the Hindu God of War, ‘Subrahmanya’ and are often used to represent his supernatural vehicle or ‘Vahana’ that he rides upon. Complete with armour piercing swollen tip and topped with a small finial. The gold work has been re-worked at some time during its working life.18th Century. |