Indian Mace

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Emanuel

In regards to ceremonial use, the more decorated the offensive part of the weapon, the less likely it was used in combat. High maintenance and generally less resistant. So heavy koftgari/inlay/carving/engraving on the mace head or the blade, particularly close to the edge indicate less likely combat use.

Emanuel

Once again relying on Elgood, I must respectfully disagree.
Of course, richly-decorated weapons must have belonged to the upper crust commanders who, by the very virtue of their rank and military function, were less likely to find themselves in the melee. However, Indian weapons were avatars of deities and as such must have been richly decorated. A Rajah armed with a plain sword could not rely on divine assistance.
Such weapons were not intrinsically wall-hangers: they were just religiously appropriate and possessed mystical content. We see them now well-preserved not for the lack of trying, but because they used to belong to the elite and were stored in royal armories between the campaigns.
And, as in any army, it was the poor schlumps who carried plain weapons into the battle

[Iliad]

Guys,
Just a quick note to say thank you for all the comments. My tiny store of knowledge has become a little larger.
Best regards,
Brian

[Emanuel]

Fully agree with you Ariel. Ceremonial was not applicable there. By the same virtue though, those decorated weapons were not expected to be used in a melee. The cost and maintenance of preserving that gold/silver koftgari in constant use would preclude that.

Originally Posted by ariel

Once again relying on Elgood, I must respectfully disagree.
Of course, richly-decorated weapons must have belonged to the upper crust commanders who, by the very virtue of their rank and military function, were less likely to find themselves in the melee. However, Indian weapons were avatars of deities and as such must have been richly decorated. A Rajah armed with a plain sword could not rely on divine assistance.
Such weapons were not intrinsically wall-hangers: they were just religiously appropriate and possessed mystical content. We see them now well-preserved not for the lack of trying, but because they used to belong to the elite and were stored in royal armories between the campaigns.
And, as in any army, it was the poor schlumps who carried plain weapons into the battle

[estcrh]

The Met Museum has some Persian prints showing several types of mace being used in battle, I thought this would be a good thread to add them to. Images of maces being carried and used are hard to find.


From the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp. Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020). Artist: Painting attributed to Qadimi (active ca. 1525–65). Folio from an illustrated manuscript.

Links to full sized images, lots of battle scenes.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...9972ce0d95.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...56fb03b090.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...fae200fcfd.jpg