A Sword (Tulwar) with Gem-Set Jade Hilt, India, 18th or 19th Century
Auction Closed
April 29, 12:32 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the curved, fullered, pattern-welded steel blade with gold overlaid cartouches containing pseudo-Arabic inscriptions and a tiger, the jade hilt densely kundan-set with rubies and emeralds in floral motifs, the wooden scabbard covered with cream floral-patterned velvet
88cm.
Sotheby’s, London, 24 October 2007, lot 247
Philippe Missillier Collection no.120C
A gem-set jade hilt now in the Wallace Collection, London (inv. no.OA1402), shares with the present hilt the use of a densely composed and highly stylised floral pattern consisting of kundan-set rubies and emeralds. On both hilts, the outlining of the grip and hilt in gold inlay is a design choice that reflects more traditional metal renditions of this hilt form. Another hilt with this peculiar choice is one now in the al-Sabah Collection (inv. no.LNS 357 HS, Salam Kaoukji, Precious Indian Weapons and Other Princely Accoutrements, London: Thames & Hudson, 2017, p.314). An otherwise comparable hilt in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, does not share this feature (inv. no.630-1875).
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