FINE EARLY SOUTH INDIAN ANKUS FOR WAR ELEPHANTS

17th-early 18th century. 15 5/8” length with beautifully built up heads in the early south Indian taste. Comprising a medially ridge spear point with pierced scalloped edges and transversely blocked bolster supporting three connectors to the base hook. The hook medially ridged with scalloped edges matching the point, with matching bolster and elegantly recurved terminal. Tapered haft with banded ivory scales ahead of matching black horn scales. Fine character with aging as expected. War elephants were fundamental to Asian warfare through the ancient and medieval periods. Their strength and relative invulnerability (they often wore armor in India) made them keystones of the field offence.  Their use was dramatically reduced in the 18th century as gun powder became more effective.