Lot 51

A SWORD (TALWAR) AND SCABBARD FROM THE COLLECTION OF MIR MUHAMMAD MURAD-‘ALI KHAN TALPUR (R. 1828-32)

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ARMS AND ARMOUR FROM THE COLLECTION OF HOWARD RICKETTS

A SWORD (TALWAR) AND SCABBARD FROM THE COLLECTION OF MIR MUHAMMAD MURAD-‘ALI KHAN TALPUR (R. 1828-32)

THE BLADE SIGNED MUHAMMAD KAZIM SHIRAZI, IRAN AND SINDH, LATE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A SWORD (TALWAR) AND SCABBARD FROM THE COLLECTION OF MIR MUHAMMAD MURAD-‘ALI KHAN TALPUR (R. 1828-32)
THE BLADE SIGNED MUHAMMAD KAZIM SHIRAZI, IRAN AND SINDH, LATE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The single-edged watered steel sword with pronounced ladder pattern, the plain silvered steel hilt of typical ‘talwar’ form, slightly curved, with knuckleguard and elaborate wrist-strap loop at the pommel, the brown leather-wrapped wooden scabbard with en-suite silvered mounts, including leather belt with en-suite belt mounts
40 ½in. (103cm.) long

Literature

Howard Ricketts and Philippe Missillier, Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988, no. 215
Howard Ricketts and David Sulzberger, Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic arms and armour, Riyadh, 1991, p. 56, no. 315

Exhibited

Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988
Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic arms and armour, Riyadh, 1991

Engraved

In the teardrop cartouche, ‘Sarkar Mir Muhammad Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur’
In the rectangular cartouche, ‘work of Muhammad Kazim Isfahani’

Further Details

Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding on these lots. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import certain lots of this type into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Phoebe Jowett Smith Sale Coordinator & Cataloguer

pjowettsmith@christies.com +44 20 7752 3221

Lot Essay

A fine blade of unusual form in the Wallace Collection, London, also from the collection of Mir Muhammad ‘Ali Khan Talpur, bears the slightly confusing signature of Muhammad Kazim Isfahani Shirazi (OA1503; Thom Richardson and Paula Turner (eds.), The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms & Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World, London, 2026, p.56). In light of the two nisbas used on the Wallace Collection blade, it seems likely that Muhammad Kazim Isfahani may also be identified with the Kazim Shirazi who signed a blade made for Aga Muhammad Shah Qajar (r. 1789-97) and dated AH 12[0]8/ 1793-4 AD). That blade was subsequently gifted to the ruler of Sindh, Mir Fath-‘Ali Khan Talpur (r. 1783-1801), brother and predecessor of Murad-‘Ali. In Hyderabad, it was fitted with a gem-set and enamelled hilt and luxurious scabbard decorated en suite, before being presented to George IV by the rulers of Sindh in 1822 (now in the Royal Collection, Windsor, RCIN 62883).

A sword with a closely related hilt and a blade signed Muhammad Kazim Shirazi, also from the collection of Mir Muhammad Murad-‘Ali Khan Talpur, was sold in these Rooms, 12 October 2004, lot 63. Another sword by Muhammad Kazim Shirazi was sold in these Rooms, 5 October 2012, lot 509.

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