Antique Indo Persian Indian Sword Talwar Tulwar Islamic Mughal India

DETAILS: Superbly hand-forged steel single-edged blade that is slightly curved, broad, sturdy and very sharp. It has a visible forging lamination pattern and a central fuller cut out on both sides. The blade is mounted with a very rare form steel hilt of characteristic Indian Marwari style. The hilt has a bellied grip that runs down to a pair of integral quillons with swollen terminals and long shaped langets that extend down the sides. At the top is a large prominent disk-shaped pommel (katori) with a flower (phool) surmounted by the bud-shaped finial and knuckle bow which is shaped like the neck of swan adorned with sculptured integral swan heads facing the other. The hilt is decorated throughout with geometric patterns in silver inlay (koftgari).

REFERENCES:

An identical in form Tuwar hilts dated to the 17th century are published in the following books:

1.Indian Armours in the National Museum Collection by Dr. G.N. Pant. Volume II. Swords and Daggers. Page 113. Fig.283.

2. Traditional weapons of India by Konstantin Nosov. Moscow. 2011.Page.187. Традиционное оружие Индии». Автор Константин Носов. Москва.2011.

We will provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references and a certificate of authenticity. Like swords in most cultures, Talwars were worn as both weapons and status symbols. The man for whom this splendid sword was made must certainly have been a fairly important figure in Mughal Indian society since he had a sword of such high quality and very expensive at the time.

This is a stunning museum-quality Islamic Mughal sword, a real artwork, and an example of Indian Mughal swordsmiths.

Doing to high carbon, the blade is weighty but very well balanced with a superbly designed slightly curved blade and the very sharp cutting edge made this sword a chopper.

Based on my over 50 years of handling antique swords, this sword can easily cut through the Indo Persian steel helmet khula hut.

MEASUREMENTS:

Overall length with scabbard: 92 cm (36.22 inches). Overall length without scabbard: 90.3 cm (35.55 inches). Length of the blade: 77.5 cm (30.51 inches). Width of the blade at the crossguard: 4.2 cm. (1.65 inches). The thickness of the blade spine near the guard: 6 mm.

Total weight: 1.325 Kg (2.921 pounds).

PROVENANCE: Acquired from a very important old Canadian Collection of Islamic Art, including Muslim arms and armor.