A scarce heavy Indian axe 'Bhuj'. Unusual form with long steel blade both faces beautifully decorated with flowers and scrollwork of thick silver-gilt. The blade tip double edged and thickened along the centre. The blade mount finely chiselled as an elephants head with great attention to detail showing the shortened and mounted tusks, and decorative tassels to the ears and neck. Shaft of steel retaining silver-gilt decoration of flowers and scrolls, worn from use. The shaft contains a small slender steel knife which screws in, the shaft finial forming the dagger handle. Good condition, age wear to silver-gilt especially on the shaft. North-West India, 17th/early 18th century. $1895 |
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