Persian and Ottoman maces

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Victrix

So what are the main characteristics to look for to differentiate between them? My admittedly very shallow observations suggest that Persian maces might have an emphasis on flanges used to penerate armour, whilst Ottoman maces have "turban" like, rounded heads? But this may be coincidental and completely wrong.

Where do we get our info on which maces are Persian and which are Ottoman in the first place?? From museums which are often wrong, from auctions which are often wrong, from books which are often wrong and period illustrations which we would assume would be correct (hopefully).

Below is George Stones "maces" and descriptions, an early source for many collectors, dealers and museums.

The whole bottom row is Indian which leaves quite a few on the first and second rows as being "Persian", disregard the bulls headed maces which we already know as being Persian.

[Kubur]

That's right.
I wonder where the Arabs stand in the picture...
Between Turks, Persians and Indians...
Here an Iraqi gentleman

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Kubur

That's right.
I wonder where the Arabs stand in the picture...
Between Turks, Persians and Indians...
Here an Iraqi gentleman

Kuber, that mace is described as being made from stone, here is another example that is outside of the norm, a spiked wooden mace. Both are very rare period photos of maces.

[estcrh]

Some known ancient Persian mace examples from The Arts of the Muslim Knight
The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, by Bashir Mohamed, 2008

Seljuk Maces

The mace without a description......... "Persian mace head, 10th-12th century, bronze, maces were used as cavalry weapons, but were also symbols of power or office. A Shah-nama illustration from around 1340 shows the hero Gudarz surrounded by guards with maces of the same type as this one. Gudarz himself is shown seated holding a mace that ends in a lion’s head, L: 16.5 cm."

[estcrh]

Two known examples of Persian maces and another supposedly Persian type.

[Kubur]

I've seen many Seljuk maces the last years.
I suspect that most of them are fakes like the Chinese bronze swords...
Not the ones that you posted of course.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Two known examples of Persian maces and another supposedly Persian type.

These are simply amazing... Stunning.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Victrix

These are simply amazing... Stunning.

One is from the British museum
they have also these two...

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by estcrh

Two known examples of Persian maces and another supposedly Persian type.

Salaams estcrh,
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT #16 ...ONE MACE IN PARTICULAR was interesting and I note what the Met says about that~

Quote "The ox-headed mace is associated with the heroes of the Shahnama (Book of Kings), the poet Firdausi’s epic of pre-Islamic Iran completed in a.d. 1010. The mace reproduces the hero Bahram Gur’s weapon made in memory of the cow that nursed him. An emblem of power and good, it was inherited by other heroes in the epic, notably Feridun and Rustam. This example is representative of the Qajar revival of ancient Iranian imagery. It bears the false signature of a legendary smith, Haji 'Abbas, and the equally spurious date A.H. 951 (A.D. 1544–45)." Unquote.

It occurred to me that it may not be obvious from the Mace Head where it comes from however some clue is apparent in the shaft of the weapon as to provenance... and despite the false date and makers signature.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The Ottoman Mace.

I note the Term Polylobate Mace... http://www.icollector.com/AN-OTTOMAN-MACE_i21581002 described and sold as

Quote"The rare, mid-16th century steel head of polylobate form, refitted to a leather-covered wooden haft with silver mounts. Late 17th century. Worn overall. Such maces were popular with Ottoman, Polish, Cossack and Tatar warriors, representing a symbol of rank as well as a weapon. Overall length 45.5 cm.
Condition II" Unquote.

Whilst it remains understandably difficult to separate Ottoman and Persian hafts with heavy weighted lumps on the end...perhaps there is some distinction in the way these hafts were decorated. The Ottoman type also covered in part by leather...Clearly the concept of badge of office was mirrored in both weapons and in the Parade nature in the Persian form in the Qajar Dynasty.

Below~ The Polylobate Ottoman Mace and to the right another ....