Indian Ancus Ankus elephant goad

 An elephant Goad Ancus or  Ankus from Rajasthan in North India.  Nicely shaped decorated steel metal head with hook and spike, simple dot and grooved detailing, brass from brazed parts visible. The steel head is mounted most of the way into the wooden shaft with a long flat tang to give it more strength and stop bending or breaking. The shaft is lacquered with colours and turned, rivetted through with steel and brass diamond shaped washers. 19th century.