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A long, thin grey metal pole with a metal orb at the top end.

A long, thin grey metal pole shown vertically on a white background. It has a decorated metal orb at the top end. IThe orb has a rounded band around the middle with thick vertical lines on the top and bottom. There is a small ball at the very top. The bottom of the pole is slightly thicker in width.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.202.52
Title
Mace with Spherical Head
Classification
Weapons and Ammunition
Work Type
mace
Date
17th-18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/215478

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Steel
Dimensions
77 cm (30 5/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1999 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1999.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch
Accession Year
2009
Object Number
2009.202.52
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The mace consists of a large, spherical, steel head that features a thick, embossed, decorative band with scalloped edges running around the middle. The head is also divided into six segments by riveted and embossed vertical bands. At the top of the mace head is a band with a scalloped edge. The finial is molded into an abstract lotus shape. The head is hollow and has small beads within that create a rattling sound. It is welded to the haft, which is made of a single piece of solid steel. It thickens at the grip which is separated from the rest of the haft by three embossed, thick bands. The haft terminates into a small, roughly-chiseled knob.

Exhibition History

  • Arabesque, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 12/01/1990 - 03/24/1991
  • An Imperial Vision. The Art of Mughal India, 1526-1658, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 10/17/1992 - 12/06/1992
  • Arts of Empire: Mughal India, 1526-1705, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 10/17/1992 - 12/13/1992
  • A Decade of Collecting: Recent Acquisitions of Islamic and Later Indian Art, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 06/08/2000 - 09/03/2000

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu