A pair of Indian silver gilt ceremonial maces

A pair of Indian silver gilt ceremonial maces, Soontas, with wood cores and silver sheet, embossed and chased with lion head finials, with a part opened mouth and protruding tongue and a thick mane to bands of acanthus and tear-drops, to a ribbed globular terminal with flowerhhead, one terminal missing, 19th century, 70cm and 65.5cm long. (2)

These maces would have been part of the ceremonial regalia and were carried by court dignitaries, Soonta Berdars. Maces and staves were always made in pairs.