A gilt battle-axe (bhuj-kutti) with elephant terminal and sheath, North-West India, Sindh, circa 1800

carved steel blade gilt with engraved foliate designs, handle with elephant's head terminal set with colourful stones, gilt-copper handle with engraved design and concealed dagger blade revealed by unscrewing terminal, carved gilt-copper sheath with wood lining, on custom stand

Ex-collection The Maharaja of Baroda.
Vincent Laloux, Brussels.

Musée d'Art et Histoire, Geneva, 1988. 
Pavillion des Arts, Paris, 1988.

Mughal Silver Magnificence, XVI-XIXth Century, Antalga, Brussels, 1987, p.78, no.71.

Some minor oxidisation to blade and rubbing to gilt details, the handle and scabbard also rubbed revealing copper, concealed blade with some scratches and oxidisation, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The bhuj-kutti is a form of battle-axe prevalent in Sind and Northern India. They are typically short and heavy, with a single-edged blade and a straight handle about twenty inches long. As in the present example, they are usually decorated with stylised elephant’s heads inset with gemstones at the base of the blade, hence why they are known as bhuj-kutti or ‘elephant-knife’. An almost identical battle-axe is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no.3396). Two other axes of similar form and decoration are in the Wallace Collection, London (OA 1549 and OA 1558).