Indian axe for comments and suggestions

Atlantia · 3rd December 2008, 08:01 PM

Cant make out if those are straight horns, long ears, or a hat!
Hayagriva is the horse headed form of Lord Vishnu. Sometimes depicted wearing a conical hat? thought it might be him, but two arms seems to rule Hayagriva out. and god of learning..... on an axe?

Could be Kalki, horse headed, two arms, sometimes depicted with a sword, which also gives you a Kali connection as Kalki is Vishnu's last incarnation and will bring to an end the age of Kali.

I'd go for identifying the figure on the other side by what they are holding. Then see if you can find a connection to the animal headed god on the other side.

These can be very difficult!
Look at my avatar! Its a Hamsa bird! Looks like a dragon thats swallowed a viking longship.

Jim McDougall · 4th December 2008, 04:20 AM

While not certain of which Hindu deities are represented in the motif on the faces of the blade on this axe, I am pretty sure that the inscription is in 'devanagari'. This was a script used to publish sacred Sanskrit texts which became popular in British colonial period, while apparantly prior to this there were numerous local script forms. Devanagari served as a prototype and minor variations or additions from regional script types might be applied from what I understand. It is recognized by the distinctive horizontal line at top of characters.

According to "Battle Axes" (James D. Gamble, 1981, p.81) this is an Indian sacrificial temple axe, and an example remarkably similiar is shown with the spike point at top, massive crescent blade of nearly identical shape(12" tip to tip) with brass overlay motif. The pierced holes lining the tangs on either side of the blade are also present.
The same motif with deity figure within a pavilion type enclosure is present, with attendant figures on either side, however in this case, they also are within attached pavilion enclosures as well accenting the central one.

On this axe in this reference, the rear of the head is without features, while Royston's example has extremely interesting features of double pavilions flanking a central spike.

This book is disappointing in not being more specific in identifying the axe shown other than as 'Indian' and as a 'sacrificial' axe noted as associated with (?) but not used in battle. It is stated as being c.1800, which would be difficult to substantiate further.

The ceremonial aspect seems well established, but whether actually a sacrificial weapon or votive ceremonial item is unclear. The head and components seem 19th century, quite possibly earlier,while haft seems to be more recent replacement.

A very impressive piece! whatever the case might be.

All the best,
Jim

bhushan_lawate · 4th December 2008, 04:24 AM

Hi,

The script is "Devanagari" which is used for Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit.

In all probabilities the words are Sanskrit, however I'm not 100% sure. will try to find more.

The Female form looks close to that of "Bhairavi"; a deity in Shiva Family. Also the "Bull" belongs to the Shiva Family depicted here in a part human form.

The two figures on each side depict attendants carry "fan" made of horse hair called "chamar" or "chauri" the other figure is carrying some "circular" disc which is a little tricky to determine.

Weapons like these are often seen in temples and palaces and are termed as those for religious or ceremonial use.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Bhushan

4th December 2008, 04:20 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,299	While not certain of which Hindu deities are represented in the motif on the faces of the blade on this axe, I am pretty sure that the inscription is in 'devanagari'. This was a script used to publish sacred Sanskrit texts which became popular in British colonial period, while apparantly prior to this there were numerous local script forms. Devanagari served as a prototype and minor variations or additions from regional script types might be applied from what I understand. It is recognized by the distinctive horizontal line at top of characters. According to "Battle Axes" (James D. Gamble, 1981, p.81) this is an Indian sacrificial temple axe, and an example remarkably similiar is shown with the spike point at top, massive crescent blade of nearly identical shape(12" tip to tip) with brass overlay motif. The pierced holes lining the tangs on either side of the blade are also present. The same motif with deity figure within a pavilion type enclosure is present, with attendant figures on either side, however in this case, they also are within attached pavilion enclosures as well accenting the central one. On this axe in this reference, the rear of the head is without features, while Royston's example has extremely interesting features of double pavilions flanking a central spike. This book is disappointing in not being more specific in identifying the axe shown other than as 'Indian' and as a 'sacrificial' axe noted as associated with (?) but not used in battle. It is stated as being c.1800, which would be difficult to substantiate further. The ceremonial aspect seems well established, but whether actually a sacrificial weapon or votive ceremonial item is unclear. The head and components seem 19th century, quite possibly earlier,while haft seems to be more recent replacement. A very impressive piece! whatever the case might be. All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 4th December 2008 at 04:41 AM.

3rd December 2008, 08:01 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Cant make out if those are straight horns, long ears, or a hat! Hayagriva is the horse headed form of Lord Vishnu. Sometimes depicted wearing a conical hat? thought it might be him, but two arms seems to rule Hayagriva out. and god of learning..... on an axe? Could be Kalki, horse headed, two arms, sometimes depicted with a sword, which also gives you a Kali connection as Kalki is Vishnu's last incarnation and will bring to an end the age of Kali. I'd go for identifying the figure on the other side by what they are holding. Then see if you can find a connection to the animal headed god on the other side. These can be very difficult! Look at my avatar! Its a Hamsa bird! Looks like a dragon thats swallowed a viking longship.

4th December 2008, 04:24 AM	#3
bhushan_lawate Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: India Posts: 77	Hi, The script is "Devanagari" which is used for Indian languages like Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit. In all probabilities the words are Sanskrit, however I'm not 100% sure. will try to find more. The Female form looks close to that of "Bhairavi"; a deity in Shiva Family. Also the "Bull" belongs to the Shiva Family depicted here in a part human form. The two figures on each side depict attendants carry "fan" made of horse hair called "chamar" or "chauri" the other figure is carrying some "circular" disc which is a little tricky to determine. Weapons like these are often seen in temples and palaces and are termed as those for religious or ceremonial use. Hope this helps. Regards, Bhushan