Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 76:
A classic Indo-Afghan sword called a pulwar, or pulouar, this sword likely dates to the 18th to early 19th century. The pulwar sword is an interesting amalgam of two styles and hasdesign elements of early origin. The hilts of these swords take the partial form of the classic Indian tulwar, with a discoid pommel, swelling grip, and double quillons. However, invariablythe quillons terminate in stylized dragon heads which are relics of much earlier Central Asian Timurid swords which migrated to the Indo-Afghan region and to the Mughal Empire. Whereasthat earlier form of dragon headed quillon died out in the Indian sub-continent and was replaced by more abstract rounded or tri-foil designs the more secluded Afghan environment led to this design element being preserved through to the 19th century when pulwars continued to be used by Afghan armies.The example in the Schmiedt Collection of fine quality workmanship. The hilt is in the classicpulwar style, with a discoid pommel, swelling grip, and two curved quillons with stylized dragonhead terminals. This hilt of fine quality in chiseled iron and pierced embellishment in thequillons and the pommel. This piercing work is another cultural influence from Safavid and early Qajar Persian (Iran) where pierced ironwork of high quality was popular on religious objects and in arms and armor (Allan and Gilmor 2000).The blade appears to be a European trade blade with marks along the inner fuller near the handle and embellished with chiseled designs along the upper portion following the spine, and with a raised false edge similar to a yelman on Ottoman swords. It is also possible that the blade is a native interpretation of a European blade, as similar style blades have been found in places as far west as the Balkans and in Indonesia, and were likely produced in Italian iron making towns for export.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 39" Blade Length : 30 1/2" References:1. Allan, J. and Gilmour, B. (2000). Persian Steel: The Tanavoli Collection. New York:Oxford University Press2. Elgood, R. (2004) Hindu Arms and Rituals.3. Elgood, R. (2018) Rajput Arms and Armor.4. Stone, G. (1934) A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms andArmor in All Countries and in All Times: Together with Some Closely Related Subjects.Portland, Maine: Southwork Press.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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