A fine indian talwar with watered steel blade, dated regnal year 10 (?) [A.H.1047 / A.D. 1637-8]

the slightly curved imported European blade with shallow central groove and European stamp, traces of overlaid gold decoration and inscriptions to forte, inlaid gold Mughal inscription along the back edge of the blade and umbrella motif on one face, the hilt with baluster grip, broad crossguard, elongated forte and disc pommel, decorated in gold with poppies and lotuses in reserve

minor pitting and patination and small abrasions to blade, rubbing and minor loss to gold decoration of hilt, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscription

The worn/rubbed inscriptions on the sword is the nada 'ali quatrain followed by:

la ilaha illa allah/ muhammad rasul allah
hast in shamshir-e khass-e thani saheb qeran
shah-e ghazi padshah-e bahr o barr shah-e jahan
L S (or letter dad) sana (?) [jolus] 10 [10]47 (?) hamrahi.

'There is no god, but God.  Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
This is the private (Royal) sword of the Second Sahib Qiran,
The conqueror King, the King of the Seas and the Lands, Shah Jahan.
L.S (or: D).N. [Regnal] Year 10 (?) [10]47 (?) (AD 1637-8).  In [Emperor's] company'.

The single letters have not been interpreted and the word hamrahi 'Company' may mean that it was the sword Shah Jahan always had on him.

This is one of the most significant discoveries in recent times of a courtly object reserved for the personal use of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

The decoration with the honorific chattra or parasol (an ancient pan-Asian symbol of divinity or royalty) and the elegant nataliq inscriptions have a restrained sophistication that is apparent in other objects made for Shah Jahan, such as: the talismanic jade pendant sold in these rooms, 18 October 2001, lot 150, and now in collections of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha (Al Khemir 2006, pp.92-5); the jade wine cup in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Swallow 1990, repr.1999, p.95, no.73); and the jade pendant in the al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait (Keene 2001, p.32, no.2.4), the latter produced in the same regnal year 10 [A.H. 1047 / A.D. 1637-8].