A Mughal gem-set jade talwar hilt, India, late 18th century

of baluster form with broad crossguard, elongated forte, disc pommel and knop terminal, the pale green stone set with cabochon emeralds, rubies and diamonds with flowering plants and vines framed by gold inlaid borders

Talwars in carved jade are very rare. A sword hilt of similar design is in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, see Keene 2001, p.45, no.2.32.  Another is Tipu Sultan's sword, now in the Wallace Collection, illustrated in Copenhagen 1982, p.15, pl.5.