Mace (Gada)

17th century

Not on view

This mace, or gada, is extremely top-heavy, so much that it would be impossible to use effectively as a weapon. It is perfectly weighted, however, for gada-yuddha, or mace training, a form of exercise and a martial art known in India for centuries and still practiced there today. Its beautiful workmanship and lavish decoration would have made it a fine training implement for a Hindu prince. Compare this mace, weighing just over 7 pounds, with another mace in the collection (36.25.1874), which is very similar in form, decoration, and size, but is evenly balanced and weighs less than 3 pounds.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Mace (Gada)
Date: 17th century
Culture: Indo-Persian
Medium: Steel, gold
Dimensions: L. 26 in. (66 cm); wt. 7 lb 0.7 oz (3.194 g)
Classification: Shafted Weapons
Credit Line: Gift of Christian A. Zabriskie, 1936
Object Number: 36.149.3
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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