A CEREMONIAL BRONZE HANDGUARD WITH A SHAIVA TRISULA (TRIDENT) AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON South India, 17th – 18th century Of convex X-like shape, the front decorated with a chased rosette medallion in the centre, flanked by crescent moon and sun symbols encased within narrow decorative fretwork bands, surmounted by an applied trisula (trident), usually associated with the cult of the Hindu god Shiva, and with a bulbous finial on the opposite side, once caparisoned with bronze bells throughout the edges, with a smooth, curved grip on the back, 36.5cm x 20cm.

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