1200€
Kayamkulam sword
South India, 18th century
Overall length
93 cm
Hilt length
20 cm
Materials
copper, brass, steel
Origin
South India, Kerala
Dating
18th century
A rather rare Indian sword from the South West coast of India referred to as a 'Kayamkulam Vaal'. Used by the rulers and soldiers of Nair aristocracy (mostly in Travancore), in the Kayamkulam princely state of India. The brass cast hilt is inscribed with an armory number '668' and a white paint Roy Elvis 'C23' inventory number. The highly flexible sabre blade is of European form and features armory marks. Strangely I have yet to see a blade in good condition on this type of weapon. The sword is in good condition with obvious corrosion to the blade. No scabbard. Below, an engraving (1847) of Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma seated on his throne with his hand resting on a Kayamkulam vaal.
Provenance: From the Roy Elvis Collection.
- A similar sword is kept at The National Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland – bought to the Paris Exhibition of 1855 by the East Indian Company. The sword is illustrated on the rear sleeve of Hindu Arms & Ritual by Robert Elgood.
- A few swords on display in the Mattancherry Palace, Kochi, Kerala
- A few swords on the display in the Arakkal Museum, Kannur
- One example with straight blade on display in the Government Museum Bangalore
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This item is gone. Be sure to check out the available collection.