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Rajasthan 19th century Sword: 34 ¼ in. (87 cm.) long In scabbard: 36 ¼ in. (92 cm.) long |
 Detail: blade Here, the finely-decorated hilt incorporates pointed langets, a centrally swollen grip, and disc pommel, all of which has been overlaid with elaborate gold floral designs. The knob protruding from the pommel has been pierced to allow for a wrist strap cord that is embroidered with eight-point star designs. A deep blue velvet scabbard with gold chape accompanies the sword. For a comparable 19th-century gold-embellished hilt, see the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, acc. 112-1852. Note the similarities in the pointed langets, convex quillon ends, centrally swollen grip, disc-shaped pommel with knob, and intricate foliate designs. The present wootz steel blade is engraved with the ten avatars of Vishnu: Matsya (the fish), Kurma (the tortoise), Varaha (the boar), Narasimha (the man-lion), Vamana (the dwarf-god), Parasurama (Brahman warrior), Lord Rama (the perfect man), Lord Krishna (the divine statesman), Balarama (Krishna’s elder brother), and Kalki (the mighty warrior prophesied to end the Kali Yuga). Although the decoration of this blade is quite unique, another example of a talwar blade displaying Vishnu’s ten avatars resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (acc. 3418&A/(IS)). Detail: hilt |
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