Object Description
Large Indian gold damascened steel tegha sword
Indian, c. 1850
Length 112cm, width 16cm, depth 10cm
This remarkable sword is a tegha, a large Indian sword designed to be used in a ceremonial manner. The curved blade of the sword features a bright edge down its whole length, with a double cutting edge down from its point to about one third of its length. The tooled steel of the faces of the blade is superbly damascened: gold has been inlaid into a host of abstracted forms, creating a visually rich artistic demonstration. The shaped handle is similarly damascened, while the blade features inscriptions in Devangari and Nasta’liq. The sword is a superb piece of Indian craftsmanship.