DERVISH RITUAL MACE.

Mahdist period C.1880s.  Carved wood with integral  fluted  head and tapered haft sheathed in Nile crocodile skin.  Truncated conical top, the head mounted with seven forged chains, each of three links suspending an Arab coin and secured with a forged eye.  The coins are crudely punched through indicating that their function was to produce noise and an effect in motion without regard for artistic merit.  Seven is special in Islamic numerology as in others.  The rituals of Hajj include walking around the Kaaba seven times and running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah.  The Nile crocodile was sacred to the Mahdists, perhaps deriving from the Egyptians worship of Sobek.  Complete.  Enormous age character with surface wear and encrustation.  The chains and coins with dark patina.  Ex. Haggerty Museum of Art, Milwaukee with old acquisition number.  Only example we have ever encountered.