A Northwest Indian or Persian Straight Sword

[Jack Loomes]

Lot Description

A NORTH-WEST INDIAN OR PERSIAN STRAIGHT SWORD
IRAN OR NORTH-WEST INDIA, 18TH CENTURY

With wide single-edged watered-steel blade which tapers towards the point, the blade with a kirk narduban pattern consisting of vertical lines separating rosettes, the steel hilt of typical tulwar form with curved knuckle guard, gold koftgari decoration with multiple floral sprays contained within strapwork and geometric borders, later purple-velvet covered wooden scabbard

35¾in. (90.8cm.) long

Provenance

The Dr. Leo S. Figiel Collection of Mogul Arms, 24 August 1998, lot 2013

Literature

Leo S. Figiel, M.D., On Damascus Steel, New York, 1991, pp.68-69

Lot Notes

When it was published by Figiel, he wrote that whilst this blade was characteristic of north west India, the absence of a ricasso on the blade may justify a Persian attribution.

Source: www.christies.com/lotfinder/arms-armor/a-north-west-indian-or-persian-straight-sword-5668002-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5668002&sid=6c11aea3-be44-4b5c-a5c0-edab71fd8fe9