Fish Standard (Mahi-Maratib)
Culture
Indian, Mughal
Dateabout 1700
Mediumgilt copper alloy and iron
Dimensions73.7 × 54.6 × 63.5 cm (29 × 21 1/2 × 25 in.)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineMuseum purchase through the Eliza S. Paine Fund and Higgins Collection Acquisitions Fund
Object number2022.38
DescriptionA stylized fish-head made of iron, the surface coppered and gilt. The head is formed of two main plates, upper and lower, their seam covered on the outside with a thin band of iron. The upper rear part of the head is composed of two separate plates, riveted together. There are applied bands around the back edge of the head and a smaller one around the mouth. The hollow head is engraved with scales, except for the underside, which is engraved with motifs of lotus flowers that surround the conical pole mount. It also features two recurved and serrated pectoral fins and one recurved and serrated dorsal fin, all applied to the body. The fish’s face is embossed with two large eyes, a nose, and thick eyebrows that are etched with individual hairs. There are also these distinctive curls at the temples, which are silvered. Lining the top of the mouth are engraved, curved whiskers. The fish’s agape mouth reveals at top and bottom large iron fangs individually applied to the mouth, and row of smaller iron teeth applied via a separate iron strip at the front and sides; the teeth retain some of their original silvering. Copper alloy repairs secure the lower rear teeth on both sides. The cheeks are adorned with decorative bossets fitted with rings. The inside of the mouth is lined with red velvet. The body is mounted on a 3-tiered, conical socket that would originally have accommodated the supporting staff. This socket extends into a spear-like staff that pierces the bottom and top of the head, terminating in a conical finial above.
Label TextThis striking object is a mahi-maratib, or “fish and dignitaries”, a battle standard in the form of a fish. It was produced around 1700 in most likely Golconda, located in the Deccan of central south India. It consists of the front half of monstrous-looking fish; the other half of the body would have been fashioned out of silk cloth, which, when billowing in the wind, would have been both an impressive and intimidating sight on the battlefield.
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