Splendour: The Philippe Missillier Collection of Islamic & Indian Arms and Armour

A Heavy Sabre from the Talpur Armoury, India, 18th Century

Restricted SpeciesUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

April 29, 12:32 PM GMT

Estimate

30,000 - 50,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the curved blade with false edge and chiselled half-palmette at the forte, gold inlaid with four inscriptions and a magic square, the European gilt bronze hilt carved with vegetal motifs and set with ivory plaques, the leather-covered wooden scabbard with steel mounts overlaid with gold in dense, evenly-spaced floral motifs, two suspension loops, one with old paper label in English

103cm.

This lot contains elephant ivory, which is an endangered species. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid, as lots containing endangered species may be subject to import restrictions in certain countries or necessitate licenses and certificates for export from some and import into others. The possession of an export license or certificate does not guarantee obtaining its counterpart elsewhere. Buyers must ascertain and adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import and export of such items before bidding, securing all necessary licenses and certificates at their expense. The inability to export or import these items, or their seizure by a government agency, does not justify delaying payment or cancelling a sale.

Philippe Missillier Collection no.172C

inscriptions

On the blade, a magic square containing the letters that make up the protective name, Buduh: 'B-D-U-H'

nasr min allah wa fath qarib

‘Help from Allah and a Speedy Victory’ (Qur’an, surah 61 (al-Saff), part of verse 13)

andraki ya ‘ali ‘alayhi al-salam

‘O Ali, peace be upon him, rescue me!’

Sarkar Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur

Sarkar Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan Talpur

Qur’anic translation taken from Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation & Commentary (3rd ed.), Lahore, 1938.

Another blade inscribed with the names of Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur and Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan Talpur is now in the Mehrangarh Museum, Jodhpur (inv. no.ARM/76/6, Robert Elgood, Rajput Arms and Armour: The Rathores & Their Armoury at Jodhpur Fort, New Delhi: Niyogi Books, 2017, pp.452-4). Both members of the Talpur family were prolific collectors of arms and armour who frequently inscribed their names on sword blades and firearms they acquired from elsewhere.

Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan (d.1834) and his son Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan (d.1845) were ruling Talpurs of the Hyderabad branch of the family. After 1841 Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan became the senior Mir within the government. (Postans 1843, p.193) See lot 7 in this sale for a mace inscribed with the name of Mir Karam ‘Ali Khan (d.1828).

Thomas Postans, Personal Observations on Sindh: The Manners and Customs of Its Inhabitants, and Its Productive Capabilities with a Sketch of Its History, a Narrative of Recent Events, and an Account of the Connection of the British Government with That Country to the Present Period, London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1843.