Indian Forged Iron Elephant Prod

The mahout’s argument, forged in iron.

Smiths in Rajasthan, India, forged this elephant prod in iron in the mid 18th century. The ankus is a driver’s tool, used by mahouts to guide and direct elephants from above. A tapering spike and a sharply curved hook rise from a long tubular shaft, the hook worked with fine incised patterning. Ring bands and a small loop mark the length of the shaft, which ends in a ball-shaped pommel. The iron has aged to a dark, matte brown-black with a lived-in, hand-held look.

About 28 inches long. Persuasive, in the quietest way.