Indian Mace, Based

Six thin steel blades fan out from the head, like the petals of an iron flower.

This mace comes from Rajasthan, India, and dates to the mid 18th century. It is metal, and is mounted on a base. The flanged mace was carried widely across India and the Islamic world, its blades designed to concentrate force against armor, and it often doubled as a sign of rank. The head is made of scalloped flanges set around a central spike, each with a shaped outer edge. The shaft is long, slim and plain, darkened to a deep brown with paler patches of wear. A square metal base holds it upright. It stands 28.5 inches high.

Elegant in outline, unambiguous in purpose.