Elaborated Elephant Goad Ankus - Bronze, Brass - India - 18th-19th century

A very fine elaborated ELEPHANT GOAD (so called ANKUS) - South India - 18/19th century.

Length 40 cm - Width 10 cm - Material: bronze and brass.

A goad is carried by the mahout or elephant driver. The sharp point and hook was used to guide the animal to behave or move in a specific way, making it a crucial tool for hunting expeditions. The steel blade here features fantastical creatures, while the brass butt is formed by a dog-like animal issuing from a tiger’s mouth. Since it is ornately decorated, it may have also been intended for display in ceremonial processions.

This type of ankus only in museum collections, e.g. Victoria & Albert (London), The Metropolitan (New York), and several Asian museums (see internet).

Acquired: Zeeuws Veilinghuis Middelburg, 2013 (property of a gentleman who has lived decades in India).