Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 11th December 2006, 08:13 PM

Still intrigued by this piece I have continued digging here, and as Jens notes, I agree with Andrew's extremely well worded observations supporting the construction of the example. I agree with Brian, that this appears to be a retro item and is was indeed very typical to have representative weapons fabricated for ceremonial purposes.

Although we all seem to agree this is a piece from southern India, it seems most indicators suggest that it is Mughal. As I had noted earlier, the motif may give us more clues as to possible provenance. I began looking at various Mughal metalwork and armour hoping to find similar design for the diamond pattern geometric diaper pattern, which at last I did in "Islamic Arms & Armour of Muslim India", (Dr.Syed Haider, Lahore, 1991). On p.98 there is a zirah (mail waist coat) with the distinct diagonal diaper pattern. Dr. Haider describes the pattern, typically describing wavy or geometric texture patterns employed in such design as termed 'ganga jumni pattern'. The symbolism supposedly alludes to the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Jamna and the meeting of muddy and clear waters.

Having determined that the geometric diaper pattern is indeed Mughal, I decided to look further into the flowers depicted, though as Jens indicated they are extremely difficult to see with the conflicting corrosion in the silver covering. It would seem they are a six petaled flower with pointed petal tip. In searching through "India: Arts and Culture" (Welch, p.220, fig.145), I found a near matching asiatic tulip, shown in a painting by Mughal emperor Jahangir c.1620. While these flowers seem to be native to Kashmir, and suggest northern Mughal regions...it would seem likely that such motif would be favored in revival or ceremonial retro elements fashioned for court wear in the southern Mughal courts as in most probably the Deccan.

I think it is worthy of note that the wear of quilted 'armor' was more typical of the southern regions, and such diagonal design seen on this katar would be more in line as an element en suite in accoutrement.

Best regards,
Jim

11th December 2006, 08:13 PM	#22
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Still intrigued by this piece I have continued digging here, and as Jens notes, I agree with Andrew's extremely well worded observations supporting the construction of the example. I agree with Brian, that this appears to be a retro item and is was indeed very typical to have representative weapons fabricated for ceremonial purposes. Although we all seem to agree this is a piece from southern India, it seems most indicators suggest that it is Mughal. As I had noted earlier, the motif may give us more clues as to possible provenance. I began looking at various Mughal metalwork and armour hoping to find similar design for the diamond pattern geometric diaper pattern, which at last I did in "Islamic Arms & Armour of Muslim India", (Dr.Syed Haider, Lahore, 1991). On p.98 there is a zirah (mail waist coat) with the distinct diagonal diaper pattern. Dr. Haider describes the pattern, typically describing wavy or geometric texture patterns employed in such design as termed 'ganga jumni pattern'. The symbolism supposedly alludes to the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Jamna and the meeting of muddy and clear waters. Having determined that the geometric diaper pattern is indeed Mughal, I decided to look further into the flowers depicted, though as Jens indicated they are extremely difficult to see with the conflicting corrosion in the silver covering. It would seem they are a six petaled flower with pointed petal tip. In searching through "India: Arts and Culture" (Welch, p.220, fig.145), I found a near matching asiatic tulip, shown in a painting by Mughal emperor Jahangir c.1620. While these flowers seem to be native to Kashmir, and suggest northern Mughal regions...it would seem likely that such motif would be favored in revival or ceremonial retro elements fashioned for court wear in the southern Mughal courts as in most probably the Deccan. I think it is worthy of note that the wear of quilted 'armor' was more typical of the southern regions, and such diagonal design seen on this katar would be more in line as an element en suite in accoutrement. Best regards, Jim