Helgot

Blade length
72 cm, total length 84 cm

Blade thickness
6 mm at the forte narrowing to 4 mm at the back edge

Materials
iron, pattern welded steel, wood, leather

Origin
Rajasthan, probably Jodhpur

Dating
first half 19th century

Provenance
German art market

probably Jodhpur, 19th century

An interesting and elegant Marwari style tulwar with Sirohi blade.

Telling from its surface the blade is probably pattern welded, polished and bears no maker’s mark or inscriptions. There is some scattered pitting overall but nothing affecting the blades' solidness. The thickness is 6 mm at the forte narrowing to 4 mm at the back edge.

The hilt has beaded rims similar to a tulwar sword in the Mehrangarh Palace Museum that belonged to the Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar. The beaded or pearls rims remind of the South Indian craftsmanship of Tanjore but is likely inspired by it rather than being made there. (Read Rajput Arms & Armour by Robert Elgood, page 644) The grip section differs from the classical ‘Karan Shahi’ type in that it elegantly curves up towards the disc pommel. The seamless pattern on the scabbard together with the hilt shape most likely refer to Jodhpur origin. The leather covered scabbard is original and in very good condition. It shows some wear to the high relief pattern caused by the sword belt suspensions. The previous owner did a bad job trying to clean this item, probably using some acid solution on the hilt. Three small nicks to the cutting edge from handeling the sword. First half of the 19th century. German art market.

LITERATURE

Rajput Arms & Armour by Robert Elgood, page 644

REFERENCES

Museo Stibbert, Florence, similar example
Belmont House, Faversham

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This item is gone. Be sure to check out the available collection.