Hilt of an old South-Indian sword

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

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!

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.