Chapter 13 of "Hindu Arms and Armour" (Robert Elgood, 2004) does attend to certain aspects of the flower, and notably botanical symbolism in various instances in Indian tradition and culture. Here he makes a compelling comment which specifies 'plants', however in the context of the narrative notes, " ...it follows that a plant depicted on a weapon is likely to represent more than its decorative value". This would seem to imply that a flower would be afforded the same circumstance.
The convention of flowers as a leitmotif for opposing armies and signifying various situations toward battle, victory and other symbolic use seems to have deep history beyond India alone. Elgood does note that the Tamils in antiquity did use flowers as dynastic symbols (p.130) but these were later replaced.
As the book concerns Hindu tradition and culture of course he tends to many aspects of the very botanical nature of their symbolism in material culture and in ritual. One flower in particular that seems to be broadly depicted and used in Hindu culture is the lotus (the red flower of the goddess Kali ). The 'generative' aspect of the bud of the lotus is often depicted as well, such as on the pommel of many tulwars.
Turning to the depiction of flowers on the weapons, I looked into Pant (1980) who has the chapter on 'decoration'. The entire text is focused on technique in application, metalwork, enameling, jewels and styling, but like other references to the sumptuous Mughal hilts....the only specification is the type of jewels used....a flower is simply described....'flower'.
Other references describing the decoration and motif on hilts are much the same, and even in Elgood concerning the red flower symbol of Kali (op. cit. p.131) what is described is the 'red lotus stone' of the goddess..a ruby.
In reading through most of the descriptions of the Mughal emperors, there seems to have been a considerable degree of tolerance, if not even fascination with, aspects of other religions and cultures. The properties and symbolisms associated were in varying degrees filtered into Mughal arts.
It does seem however, most of the discussion of these situations, the attention is toward the material culture of artwork and various objects, with very little direction toward application on weapons. In the literature on arms, it is as if the author observing the examples considers that the characteristically nuanced or subtle depictions of flowers or plants are not relevant to the character or theme of the weapon.
Robert Elgood and Stephen Markel have offered us the most insight and best foothold into this esoteric topic, but it will take remarkable tenacity and serious study to advance. This has been the reason for this thread and others related, and hopefully others reading who have background in the study of Indian art and culture might join with their thoughts and observations.
Meanwhile other collectors may bring in examples for examination and discussion, just as Jens has always done with his amazing collection items.
|