Splendid silver Tulwar for translation and comments

Gonzoadler · Yesterday, 06:04 PM

Hello,

I recently acquired this sumptuos and heavy Tulwar. The hilt is made of silver and decorated with a fine worked snake, which entwines it. The finely pierced fittings of the leather covered wooden scabbard are made of silver, too. Only the suspension rings are probably made of another, harder white metal. The blade seems of persian origin to me and is made of Wootz-steel. It has some inscriptions I can not read.

total length: 95 cm
length without scabbard: 90 cm
blade length: 74 cm
maximum blade width: 3.6 cm
total weight: 1.573 kg

I am interested in a translation of the blade inscriptions and your comments regarding the age of the parts of this swords, it's origin, the meaning of it's decoration and so on.

Kind regards
Robin

Gonzoadler · Yesterday, 06:06 PM

More pictures:

Tim Simmons · Yesterday, 07:25 PM

Is this old?

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 07:55 PM

For comparison: from Persian trade blade c.1800-20, the pictograph of the lion and cartouche Assad Allah.

kahnjar1 · Yesterday, 08:21 PM

Beautiful sword but is this really a Tulwar?
Stu

Sajen · Yesterday, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Is this old?

I am far away from being an expert on Indian blades but I am very positive that this is old!

Sajen · Yesterday, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzoadler

Hello,

I recently acquired this sumptuos and heavy Tulwar. The hilt is made of silver and decorated with a fine worked snake, which entwines it. The finely pierced fittings of the leather covered wooden scabbard are made of silver, too. Only the suspension rings are probably made of another, harder white metal. The blade seems of persian origin to me and is made of Wootz-steel. It has some inscriptions I can not read.

total length: 95 cm
length without scabbard: 90 cm
blade length: 74 cm
maximum blade width: 3.6 cm
total weight: 1.573 kg

I am interested in a translation of the blade inscriptions and your comments regarding the age of the parts of this swords, it's origin, the meaning of it's decoration and so on.

Kind regards
Robin

What a beauty! Congrats Robin!

Ian · Yesterday, 10:27 PM

Beautiful sword and very unusual hilt for a tulwar. Lovely silver work on the scabbard.

Jim McDougall · Today, 12:08 AM

Remarkable example of what reminds me of the Mughal court sword which is called the 'zafar takieh' (=cushion or crutch of victory). These were the sword versions of the crutch type dagger which was supposed to have been used by regal figures reclining in their courts during audiences etc.

Obviously this is a more stylized version and with the entwined serpent which seems to be among certain symbols in the complex dynamics of Persian imagery. I recall in the Sudan there were occasions of snakes appearing on certain blades and though cannot recall detail, it seems associated with certain Sufi dogma.

Persian theology including elements of Sufi are well known in the Mughal courts of India. The attached image of the Lion and cartouche resemble those used characteristically on the Persian trade blades of mid 18th into 19th with these representing Assad Allah which were well known through many ethnographic spheres, in my previous post this is on a Bedouin shamshir.

The beautiful filigree of the scabbard reminds me of Hyderabad style work though typically it is embossed silver in the mounts, The European style carry rings seem likely to be of course from those influences in the British Raj as the rococo leaf type decoration .
Recalls the kinds of weapon often presented during durbar. I have seen examples of native weapon forms such as remarkable Chinese jian crafted by British artisans and jewelers specifically created for diplomatic purposes, in this case perhaps for such events in the princely states and courts in India.

Though not typical for the usual Indo-Persian tulwar, the familiar grip form can be seen, and technically the term tulwar is applicable despite the variation.

The other example attached is a Deccani version in Persian form in steel, but with typical features of the unbiquitous Indo-Persian form seen. The blade is British M1788 cavalry with koftgari added at forte, likely from East India Co. contexts.

With this tulwar example posted in the OP, it is difficult to assess age on an item of this elegance which has been specifically produced in traditional form and combined elements and in silver. I can see watered pattern in the blade, but do not have the expertise to say more on the metallurgy.

Yesterday, 06:04 PM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 257	Splendid silver Tulwar for translation and comments Hello, I recently acquired this sumptuos and heavy Tulwar. The hilt is made of silver and decorated with a fine worked snake, which entwines it. The finely pierced fittings of the leather covered wooden scabbard are made of silver, too. Only the suspension rings are probably made of another, harder white metal. The blade seems of persian origin to me and is made of Wootz-steel. It has some inscriptions I can not read. total length: 95 cm length without scabbard: 90 cm blade length: 74 cm maximum blade width: 3.6 cm total weight: 1.573 kg I am interested in a translation of the blade inscriptions and your comments regarding the age of the parts of this swords, it's origin, the meaning of it's decoration and so on. Kind regards Robin Attached Images

Yesterday, 06:06 PM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 257	More pictures: Attached Images

Yesterday, 07:55 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,308	For comparison: from Persian trade blade c.1800-20, the pictograph of the lion and cartouche Assad Allah. Attached Images

Today, 12:08 AM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,308	Zafar Takieh Remarkable example of what reminds me of the Mughal court sword which is called the 'zafar takieh' (=cushion or crutch of victory). These were the sword versions of the crutch type dagger which was supposed to have been used by regal figures reclining in their courts during audiences etc. Obviously this is a more stylized version and with the entwined serpent which seems to be among certain symbols in the complex dynamics of Persian imagery. I recall in the Sudan there were occasions of snakes appearing on certain blades and though cannot recall detail, it seems associated with certain Sufi dogma. Persian theology including elements of Sufi are well known in the Mughal courts of India. The attached image of the Lion and cartouche resemble those used characteristically on the Persian trade blades of mid 18th into 19th with these representing Assad Allah which were well known through many ethnographic spheres, in my previous post this is on a Bedouin shamshir. The beautiful filigree of the scabbard reminds me of Hyderabad style work though typically it is embossed silver in the mounts, The European style carry rings seem likely to be of course from those influences in the British Raj as the rococo leaf type decoration . Recalls the kinds of weapon often presented during durbar. I have seen examples of native weapon forms such as remarkable Chinese jian crafted by British artisans and jewelers specifically created for diplomatic purposes, in this case perhaps for such events in the princely states and courts in India. Though not typical for the usual Indo-Persian tulwar, the familiar grip form can be seen, and technically the term tulwar is applicable despite the variation. The other example attached is a Deccani version in Persian form in steel, but with typical features of the unbiquitous Indo-Persian form seen. The blade is British M1788 cavalry with koftgari added at forte, likely from East India Co. contexts. With this tulwar example posted in the OP, it is difficult to assess age on an item of this elegance which has been specifically produced in traditional form and combined elements and in silver. I can see watered pattern in the blade, but do not have the expertise to say more on the metallurgy. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; Today at 12:32 AM.

Yesterday, 07:25 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,861	Is this old?

Yesterday, 08:21 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,790	Beautiful sword but is this really a Tulwar? Stu

Yesterday, 10:27 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,407	Beautiful sword and very unusual hilt for a tulwar. Lovely silver work on the scabbard.