It is really a hard call, it is a well known practice to have more modern interpretations of old sword forms, or examples done 'in the manner of' so and so, paired with genuine old blades. While it is of course tempting to presume that this was done to preserve a heirloom blade, trophy, or one that is traditionally or historically significant ....the 'elephant in the room' is of course that modern artisans do this deceptively.
Naturally, this is quite common, but there are typically ways the experts can tell......unfortunately I am no 'expert' so cannot declare one way or another.
My purpose in posting was to illustrate possible scenarios in which such a sword might be fashioned and for what purpose.
I will point out that Persian culture, thus weapons and items are typically profoundly represented in that of Mughal India. As I earlier noted, the popular European rococo styling is incorporated into the elements of Indian and Persian decoration, as would have been notable in the period I noted, first half 19th, possibly slightly later.
The wootz (watered steel) blade would be hard to consider modern, though I know that modern artisans so produce artificial examples on knives. With the pictogram cartouche of the lion and sun, which became the Qajar dynastic crest in early 19th c. (Pinchot, 2002, note 42), these cartouches along with bold Islamic script in panels and cartouches, these appeared on the ubiquitous Persian trade blades of mid-late 18th into early 19th c.
These Persian trade blades were popular through trade channels from Arabia, and most regions under Ottoman suzerainty, through India (on tulwars), Malaysia, most of the Middle East and even the Caucasus. Therefore, these blades are not 'Indian' , but widely diffused Persian trade blades.
These trade blades using a pictograph rather than signature of the famed Assad Allah of Isfahan of late 16th into early 17th c. are using his name simply as a mark of quality and commemoration.
While of course modern reproductions of the swords of India and others are made, this kind of quality seems far beyond examples of those regularly seen. I did once have a nicely mounted Polish karabela with silver mounts (but simpler) which 'by the numbers' looked right, and the blade was notably a heavy 17th century tulwar blade with inscription in Urdu and a katar stamp.
Impressive, with old blade.
|