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Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde
The hilt attached, south India 17th century, only have a short spike.
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This is a breathtaking example Jens! Thank you.
It seems amazing that the ribbed motif on the grip as well as the 'peaked' grip midriff seems to recall Rajasthan styled tulwars of later. There was one you have that you found the same motif on a huqqa/pitcher with similar band at the top.
Also the elongated leaf reminds me of design on some katars.
The whole spike/spine seems very botanical and overall seems to support the idea of this being a symbolic decoration rather than hand hold.
Your note on the differences in the 'stem/bud' size and length possibly reflecting regional and other distinctions is well placed, and surely may account for variations.
While the 'basket hilt' khanda seems to have evolved in Deccani regions from Orissa in the east to the Maratha regions west, it does seem to have become popularly known of course with Rajputs toward the northwest by early 17th c. (naturally my limited geographic distinctions are only suggestions).