Background to the Peacock

A year ago I found a silver Preserve spoon in Bath at one of the funky Antique arcades off a side street. With a 16thC persona I occasionally need eating utensils, especially at feasts! The bowl of the spoon is far too oval but the handle makes up for this defect by having the length required for period Mughal spoons. Not to mention the finial decorating the end is great. A peacock with it's tail on display. (A bad scan of the end of the spoon -- I still haven't figured out the camera while dealing with the move and chores with 'Xmas in the offing.)

This became the inspiration for the peacock motif that I've been embroidering on the gewgaw bags and plan to use else where on garb and personal stuff for my re-enactment fun. I chose it because I consider myself vain and silly in a harmless way and by default is a reflection of my failings. It is also a reminder to me that being humble & modest are desirable traits!

The challenge was to develop the finial into a representation of a peacock image that matched interpretations of these icons of Indian art and textile embellishment from the 13thC through the 17thC. The easiest research material dating from the period to study was Indian textile exports. I rounded out further research with a little exploration of architectural details where the Hamsa (Geese) and the peacock are depicted in relief carvings.