A very fine, rare and early Mughal Sword.
An exceptional find and a deeply interesting sword.
The sword measures 94cms long in the scabbard.
Out of the scabbard it measures just under 91cms long.
The blade is just under 79cms long.
The hilt is of the North Indian Delhi type, of the 17-18th century.
It is thickly decorated in high quality gold coverings, being floral designs throughout all surfaces, that are in an outstanding state of preservation when considering the age of the sword.
The blade is extremely interesting and deeply worthy of further academic study. It is a blade of earlier form and construction. The sword lacks a block ricasso that is synonymous with sword blades from India and carries a Persian number, deeply chiseled and filled with gold on the right face of the forte.
The blade's construction is of an early Wootz type, some times referred to as Sham. The watered pattern is very clear but of a lower contrast.
My thanks to the Islamic dept. of the Sackler Freer for help in translation of what remains in two of the three gold cartouches and aslo identification of the globe symbol. Translation of the large medallion shaped gold cartouche is noted as "God the Victorious one". The second large medallion cartouche read as "Abdul Razul". Unfortunately the third smaller cartouche is too worn to read as are the other aspects of the medallions but it is my hope the new owner will under scientific magnification be able to identify enough gold residue to add further data to accompany this sword. Again my thanks the Islamic dept. for identifying the globe symbol as that of Timur's banner with the reference supplied being Guy le Strange's translation of Gonzalez de Clavijo's Embassy to Tamerlane.
Whilst I personally do not believe the blade is from Tamerlane's reign, I do note that the blade is much earlier in age than the hilt. The blade is likely an heirloom blade from Persia and that the symbol of Tamerlane was a tribute and sign of Persia & Mughal India's Heritage whose forefathers were the rulers of both when Delhi was conquered in 1398.
The scabbard retains is original silver fittings with the drag being of a most unusual form. The silver retains a great deal of it mercury gilded surfaces.
For a comparable hilt and shallow blade profile, view INV# RB-17 of the Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, noted as 17th century.
A complete, rare and exceptional sword.
