Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs & Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs & Carpets
A STEEL-HILTED SWORD (TALWAR) AND SCABBARD, THE BLADE WITH THE TEN AVATARS OF VISHNU, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
Auction Closed
June 10, 06:00 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A STEEL-HILTED SWORD (TALWAR) AND SCABBARD, THE BLADE WITH THE TEN AVATARS OF VISHNU, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
the slightly curved blade of watered steel decorated in relief with the ten avatars of Vishnu within cartouches interspersed by their titles, the hilt with baluster grip, broad cross guard, and disc pommel, decorated throughout with gilt and punched floral decoration, pommel surmounted by an openwork loop, the velvet covered wood scabbard with gilt chape decorated with flowers in cartouches
sword: 87cm.
in scabbard: 92cm.
Please note: Condition 9 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers for this sale is not applicable to this lot.
While hunting scenes depicting humans and animals are often incised on swords, the blade of this talwar is decorated with the ten avatars of Vishnu: Matsya (the fish), Kurma (the tortoise), Varaha (the boat), Narasimha (the man-lion), Vamana (the dwarf), Parasurama (the angry man), Lord Rama (the perfect man), Lord Krishna (the divine Statesman), Balarama (Krishna’s elder brother), Kalki (the mightly warrior).