Gold inlaid tulwar

Tim Simmons · 9th August 2016, 09:56 PM

Perhaps gold leaf might be a better discription.

Battara · 10th August 2016, 02:14 AM

Actually Tim, by the pictures I see, the gold looks to be more than gold leaf. I think it may have originally been gold or brass inlay. However, over time, a soft metal like this would wear away. I have seen this happen in Nepalese and Tibetan horas and gold inlays.

DaveS · 10th August 2016, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Perhaps gold leaf might be a better discription.

Tim: I have had this sword for many years. It would seem to me that if it was brass inlays that they would have tarnished at least a little. But they are as bright as the day i first got it. As far as the etch, yes it was not as dark as when i got it. I re-etched it because i like patterns, weather it is a Moro sword or an Islamic piece, to have a nice darker contrast between layers. Not so much traditional maybe, just my personal preference............Dave.

Battara · 10th August 2016, 06:07 AM

I agree Dave that the yellow metal is in fact gold due to the hue I see in the pictures and that, yes, there is little or no patina/oxidation. They are true inlay, not just an overlay or leaf.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th August 2016, 12:02 AM

To decide if the inlay is gold you will need the nitric acid test. None of the other tests is reliable and in this case not practical . For safety you can ask a Jeweller if they can do the test.

9th August 2016, 09:56 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Perhaps gold leaf might be a better discription.

10th August 2016, 02:14 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Actually Tim, by the pictures I see, the gold looks to be more than gold leaf. I think it may have originally been gold or brass inlay. However, over time, a soft metal like this would wear away. I have seen this happen in Nepalese and Tibetan horas and gold inlays.

10th August 2016, 06:07 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I agree Dave that the yellow metal is in fact gold due to the hue I see in the pictures and that, yes, there is little or no patina/oxidation. They are true inlay, not just an overlay or leaf.

11th August 2016, 12:02 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	To decide if the inlay is gold you will need the nitric acid test. None of the other tests is reliable and in this case not practical . For safety you can ask a Jeweller if they can do the test.