North Indian Sword

North India, 19th century
Gold overlaid steel, textile and ruby
91 cm long
Stock no.: A4807

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North Indian Sword

The hilt has an angled bend, and the pommel is in the shape of a bird’s head. The bird’s eyes are bejeweled with ruby, while the entire hilt is decorated with stylized flower-head patterns. This decorative scheme based on circular flowers can be compared to two swords dated to the nineteenth century from Rajput Arms and Armour: The Rathores and Their Armoury at Jodhpur Fort. (PC08, pp.468-471; ARM/76/64, pp.474-5). The grip is made in one with the guard, which is in the shape of a palmette leaf. One side of the guard is connected to an s-shaped knuckle guard that extends back to the head of the bird (pommel).
The watered-steel single-edged blade is slightly curved. The scabbard is coated in green velvet, with golden decorative palmettes at the locket and chape.
Reference:
Elgood, Robert. Rajput Arms and Armour: The Rathores and Their Armoury at Jodhpur Fort. Vol. 1. 2 vols. New Delhi: Mehrangarh Museum Trust in association with Niyogi Books, 2017.

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