- 595
A rare Indian sword and scabbard for the Arabian market, Deccan or Kutch, 17th Century
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- steel and silver hitl and dagger, leather scabbard
the finely curved steel blade with a flattened back edge, the hilt inlaid with silver in an ornamental floral composition, the green leather scabbard with silver mount featuring stylised floral motifs and birds
Condition
In general good condition, some abrasion to parts of blade and on hilt, consisten with age, some ware to scabbard, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A sword with a very similar steel blade and silver-decorated hilt is illustrated in B. Mohamed, The Arts of the Muslim Knight: The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, Institut du monde arabe, Paris, 2007, p.96, no.60.
Such hilts derive from a composite tradition, in this case that of the nimcha from North Africa and the saif of the Arabian peninsula. Bashir Mohamed also takes note of the Indian langets and Ottoman-influenced quillons of the hilt, as well as the silver inlay which he attributes to Deccani workmanship and the floral patterns to Ottoman models (ibid., p.96).