Sword: O.12-1879

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Sword
• Indian weapons
• khanda

Categories

• Weapons

Description

The steel blade is straight and double edged, flaring towards the point. A medial ridge runs the full length of the blade, with a hollow ground at either side. The hilt comprises a figure-8 guard, angled across the centre, with cusped wings chiselled in the form of seated lions, and long, heavy blade-shaped reinforces extending well down the blade, decorated overall with fine incised bands of scrolling foliage and secured by three rivets with copper alloy petalled washers. The thin grip swells to a moulding at the centre, and there is a small, deep, dish pommel inside which is a dome and multi-layered lotus bud finial. The guard is pierced with a pair of holes at either side of the missing lining, and is decorated on the outside with a band of engraved flowers. The side of the pommel dish are engraved with fine lotus flower petals. The ground of all the engraved decoration retains its original vermillion paint, rubbed away in places. The hilt is otherwise in its original black finish, the blade polished bright and covered with grease

Notes

History note: From Ganjam. Probably from the Tanjore armoury, broken up in 1860 (see documentation Elgood 2004)

Legal notes

Given by Robert Taylor, MA

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA

Dating

16th Century
Circa 1500 CE - 1600 CE

Note

This superb sword is probably the finest sword to survive from medieval south India. It still retains its original chiselled and coloured decoration and is of the highest quality, made for a noble or royal owner. There are only two of this quality in the world. The guard has finely wrought and chiselled seated lions and it has a long, heavy, reinforces which extend well down the blade. The decoration is fine incised bands of scrolling foliage. The lions, and tigers, were usually associated with royal ownership.