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1902.87.7.1

Sword [.1] Tulwar with decorated curved blade and ?gilded hilt with velvet tassel, and cream velvet covered wooden sheath [.2] [SM 17/10/2007]

1902.87.7.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Sword [.1] Tulwar with decorated curved blade and ?gilded hilt with velvet tassel, and cream velvet covered wooden sheath [.2] [SM 17/10/2007]
Long description
Sword [.1] Tulwar with decorated curved blade and ?gilded hilt with velvet tassel, and cream velvet covered wooden sheath [.2] The blade is made of steel and is decorated on both surfaces with decorative channeling/grooves and punched dots. The hilt is ?gilded with ?gold which is still visible in places, most of the hilt is now a shiny dark grey colour. It has long langets, each perforated four times at the tip and flared quillons with rounded ends. A knucklebow projects from one quillon to the disc shaped pommel, terminating in two animal head figures side by side. A dark blue velvet tassel with red silk lining is attached to the top of the pommel. The sheath is covered all over with cream velvet and decorated with cream and green thin yarn up the back and widthways below the mouth. The mouth is V shaped and the sheath has an embossed/impressed iron chape that has also been ?gilded with ?silver. It is a dull mid grey in colour. [SM 17/10/2007]
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1902
Date collected
By 1902
Acquisition information
Loaned: 1902
Materials and processes
Material Steel Metal, Material Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Velvet Textile, Material Silk Textile Animal, Material Metal, Material Yarn, Process Forged (Metal), Process Carved, Process Covered, Process Impressed, Process Stamped, Process Grooved
Dimensions
Length: max 948 mm sword, Length: max 833 mm sheath
Object numbers
Accession number: 1902.87.7.1 Accession number: 1902.87.7.2
Research and responses

The talwar has one full or true edge on the convex side, and a ‘false’ or partial edge on the distal third of the back edge. Comparison of this blade form with European cavalry sabres reveals how closely European cavalry modelled their weapons on Indian sword forms. The distinctively Indo-Muslim talwar hilt form with knuckle-guard is known as Delhishahi, although it does not indicate a Mogul origin. The talwar was the most widely and numerously distributed Indian weapon form (Egerton, 1896: 104), due to the widespread influence of Rajput Maharajas. Talwar were historically conceived by Rajput men as the embodiment of their honour, commitment and agency; Egerton (1896: 105-6) remarks on two of the commonest Rajput oaths – ya sil ka an (‘by this weapon’) and dhal talwar ka an (‘by my talwar and shield’). Talwar were an integral part of the weaponry displays in Rajput rulers’ Silleh-Kana armouries. Research Conducted for DCF Cutting Edge 2006/2007 [AM].

Search terms: Weapon, Figure, Sword, Sheath, Animal Figure

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