An important gilt-mounted sword with ruby eyes and scabbard from Tipu Sultan's armoury, India, Seringapatam, circa 1782-99

with curved single-edged damascus steel blade, the gilt hilt with faceted grip, chiselled and engraved with pelage and bubri motifs on a matt ground, the slender langets with trefoil terminals, a tapering cross-guard with button terminals engraved with floral rosettes, a scrolling knuckle-guard terminating in a peacock-head with ruby-set eyes, the tiger-head pommel with teeth bared and ruby-set eyes, the cloth-covered wood scabbard with gilt mounts engraved with further bubri motifs and two suspension rings

84cm. blade

96cm. with hilt and scabbard