Elephant Goad, Ankus?

drac2k · 15th June 2022, 07:21 PM

Just for my own edification what do consider recent vintage;5 years, 50 years,100 years old? Also, how did you determine that it is contemporary; have you seen other similar examples around?
The wear, repairs, and pitting would indicate some age to me. The workmanship as well; an example is that the legs are pinned on and not simply brazed, which would have been much easier.
Is it a stunning work of art, no, however it was probably produced by a small village blacksmith, who certainly had a degree of skill.
As an afterthought, it is 18" tall & 5 " at its widest.

ariel · 15th June 2022, 10:45 PM

We all want our thingies to be really old and at the same time in a good shape.:-)
I do not know and, AFAIK, nobody can guess the age of this ankus.
They were used 500 years ago and continue to be used as we speak..
They are not involved in heavy jobs, just casual irritation of elephant’s hide, so they can stay in an almost pristine shape almost indefinitely. They are almost indestructible. In a hot and humid surrounding they may just get patinated.
That’s my limit of guessing.

15th June 2022, 07:21 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Just for my own edification what do consider recent vintage;5 years, 50 years,100 years old? Also, how did you determine that it is contemporary; have you seen other similar examples around? The wear, repairs, and pitting would indicate some age to me. The workmanship as well; an example is that the legs are pinned on and not simply brazed, which would have been much easier. Is it a stunning work of art, no, however it was probably produced by a small village blacksmith, who certainly had a degree of skill. As an afterthought, it is 18" tall & 5 " at its widest.

15th June 2022, 10:45 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	We all want our thingies to be really old and at the same time in a good shape.:-) I do not know and, AFAIK, nobody can guess the age of this ankus. They were used 500 years ago and continue to be used as we speak.. They are not involved in heavy jobs, just casual irritation of elephant’s hide, so they can stay in an almost pristine shape almost indefinitely. They are almost indestructible. In a hot and humid surrounding they may just get patinated. That’s my limit of guessing.