Ceremonial Flail
Full Description:
The hilt and shaft of this ceremonial Persian flail are decorated in gold and silver with a variety of decorative designs in shallow relief: tiers of gold-stemmed flowerheads and unfurling silver vines alternate with small gilt leaves framed by slender silver panels, each arrangement separated by bordered bands of small circles.
A chain of small interlocking silver rings attached to the shaft holds a larger bracket to secure the ball of wootz steel. The ball is hollow, its reflective surface imbuing this rare and unusual piece with an enticing, otherworldly aura – perhaps fitting for the flail’s ceremonial use.