A CURVED SWORD (TULWAR) WITH CHEVRON WATERED-STEEL BLADE

NORTH INDIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

A CURVED SWORD (TULWAR) WITH CHEVRON WATERED-STEEL BLADE
NORTH INDIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
The single-edged blade of typical curved form with a double-edged tip, the blade composed of light and dark watered-steel chevrons, the steel hilt of typical form with thin bands of gold-damascened decoration of scrolling vine, hilt and blade possibly associated in green cloth covered wooden sheath
34½in. (87.7cm.) long

Lot Essay

The chevron watered-steel pattern is produced by forge-welding together pre-shaped sections of alternating mild steel with watered-steel. For a similar example dated to circa 1800 see Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, 2013, no. 399, p.163.

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