Another Tulwar

Dom · 8th August 2012, 02:36 AM

Hi Matt
Tulwar very dark (?),
at least the blade has need ... of a good shot of elbow grease
the ferule in brass or copper, is very elegant

top of the handle, seems unusual
but we cannot distinguish its configuration

it's not really my field ...
also I'll expect to know what my colleagues will say

à +

Dom

Jim McDougall · 8th August 2012, 05:35 AM

What did you learn from the internet on these? Have you an opinion from that on the classification or period? These tulwar variations have been discussed here many times of course so Im curious what the internet at large has pertaining to these.

LostDutchman · 8th August 2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

What did you learn from the internet on these? Have you an opinion from that on the classification or period? These tulwar variations have been discussed here many times of course so Im curious what the internet at large has pertaining to these.

Ok,

Well this piece looks very similar to the Mughal tulwar I posted a few weeks ago in regards to the shape and curvature of the blade. That piece is late 18th century/early 19th century. The difference that I see is the pommel... the cross guard is very similar. This piece is longer. I'm going to guess it's from the same era. That is where I started...and ended before posting this thread.

Jim McDougall · 9th August 2012, 12:40 AM

Thank you for the input Matt. Actually Im glad you brought up the last tulwar you posted, which I responded to in some depth, and I wondered if the information was useful.
As you can see there is notable difference the hilt of this example, the typical curvature of most of these tulwar blades is similar. What is key in this case is the hilt, and particularly those flueret quillons. These are typically associated with Deccani weapons, however there were profound connections between those Sultanates and Mughal regions to the north, northwest. In this case the style hilt and the central floral device in the chowk suggests areas toward Afghanistan borders but probably from areas in Sind and Baluchistan. This may be of the type used by the Talpurs in Sind, and I think 19th century early to mid. There seems to be black from japanning on the hilt which seems unusual, but the dark patina under and on the blade seem to reflect genuine age.
It is of course quite subjective in trying to assess regions and period in tulwars, and estimations are based mostly on similar examples with some provenance when available. The tulwar itself was widely diffused and in a historically volatile and diverse climate through many centuries.

Jim

LostDutchman · 9th August 2012, 03:38 AM

As a coin dealer by trade I was taught not to "mess" with antiques. Is this the same in the sword collecting community? I think I see a wootz blade in hand... But the old surface rust makes it hard to be sure.

AJ1356 · 9th August 2012, 03:07 PM

To me the pommel looks like a newer addition. From the pictures the metal work is different from the rest and also the patina is of different shapes.

8th August 2012, 02:36 AM	#1
Dom Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris (FR*) Cairo (EG) Posts: 1,142	Hi Matt Tulwar very dark (?), at least the blade has need ... of a good shot of elbow grease the ferule in brass or copper, is very elegant top of the handle, seems unusual but we cannot distinguish its configuration it's not really my field ... also I'll expect to know what my colleagues will say à + Dom

8th August 2012, 05:35 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,458	What did you learn from the internet on these? Have you an opinion from that on the classification or period? These tulwar variations have been discussed here many times of course so Im curious what the internet at large has pertaining to these.

9th August 2012, 12:40 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,458	Thank you for the input Matt. Actually Im glad you brought up the last tulwar you posted, which I responded to in some depth, and I wondered if the information was useful. As you can see there is notable difference the hilt of this example, the typical curvature of most of these tulwar blades is similar. What is key in this case is the hilt, and particularly those flueret quillons. These are typically associated with Deccani weapons, however there were profound connections between those Sultanates and Mughal regions to the north, northwest. In this case the style hilt and the central floral device in the chowk suggests areas toward Afghanistan borders but probably from areas in Sind and Baluchistan. This may be of the type used by the Talpurs in Sind, and I think 19th century early to mid. There seems to be black from japanning on the hilt which seems unusual, but the dark patina under and on the blade seem to reflect genuine age. It is of course quite subjective in trying to assess regions and period in tulwars, and estimations are based mostly on similar examples with some provenance when available. The tulwar itself was widely diffused and in a historically volatile and diverse climate through many centuries. Jim

9th August 2012, 03:38 AM	#5
LostDutchman Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 11	As a coin dealer by trade I was taught not to "mess" with antiques. Is this the same in the sword collecting community? I think I see a wootz blade in hand... But the old surface rust makes it hard to be sure.

9th August 2012, 03:07 PM	#6
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	To me the pommel looks like a newer addition. From the pictures the metal work is different from the rest and also the patina is of different shapes.