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30th December 2015, 09:14 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Hilt of an old South-Indian sword
Got myself a New Year present.
Elgood's book has 3 somewhat similar: back cover and pic # 11-5 on p. 111, but mine is, AFAIK, even better and purely local in character. Horrendously heavy, with very thick bronze, and the cavity is still filled with very old mastique. Surfaces in excellent shape, small dings, no losses, beautiful patina. Need your opinion: - should I leave it like that, or find it a blade? - if she should get married, what kind of a groom does she deserve? Tulwar or something else? Wootz? Or, taking into account that wootz blades were not very frequent on S. Indian swords, should I find mechanical damascus? Appreciate all your opinions and ... Happy New Year! |
31st December 2015, 02:08 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 327
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Hilt of South-Indian sword
Ariel: Definitely remount it with a nice blade. A hilt of this quality deserves a wootz blade............Dave.
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31st December 2015, 03:43 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
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SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HANDLE DESERVES A GOOD ANTIQUE BLADE IF POSSIBLE. IF SUCH A WORTHY BLADE CAN BE FOUND REMOUNT BUT I WOULD NOT PUT IN A MODERN MADE BLADE. JUST MY OPINION. I WISH YOU LUCK
THE DESIGN DOES REMIND ME OF THE SWORDS FROM CEYLON (SIRI LANKA) |
31st December 2015, 04:14 AM | #4 |
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Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,217
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I agree totally!
What a great hilt! |
31st December 2015, 05:46 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Thank you, guys!
My better half ain't gonna be happy : wootz blades do not come cheap:-) On the other hand, none of the Elgood's swords comes with a wootz blade. And I think Vandoo is right : Singhalese or Tamil. |
31st December 2015, 11:37 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
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THATS A YALI.HALF LION HALF COW,MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURE,ASSUME ITS FROM MYSORE OR TANJORE ,CHEERS
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9th February 2016, 07:29 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 88
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wonderfull hilt
what a brilliant piece,well done ,love the beasts,
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9th February 2016, 09:15 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Quote:
Salaams Ariel, Nice Hilt. These hilts are a study in their own right (aren't they all!?) In this case comprised of the Tulvar hilt with various Hindu creature forms. I suggest the Kirtimukha (the 'Face of Glory'), and the Yali/Makara finial style. Those students that know what is coming next in the imagination because it is almost as if this hilt's creatures occupy a moment in time, will tell you what these creatures do;...Some emit other forms whilst some devour them. Essentially these Hindu motifs (if I can call them that) are multi dimensional and always changing... thus it is easier to understand that, for example, Makara have many different guises;...Elephant, Deer, Serpent, Peacock, Crocodile etc etc and appear in many mixed forms for example; the tail of a peacock, the head of a crocodile and feet of a pig or elephant...and occasionally an elephants trunk! On occasions these include part humanoid form. Please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makara_(Hindu_mythology) for more details. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 9th February 2016 at 09:29 PM. |
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9th February 2016, 09:51 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,079
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Regarding a blade for this hilt, I would look for a Western made trade blade such as you see in Ferangi. Straight, double or single edged and if possible with makers marks.
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