A tulwar from Kishanghar

Jens Nordlunde · 13th May 2007, 10:10 AM

Hi Alex,

I found these two pictures on my computer, they are from a book called Damascening on Steel or Iron, as practised in India. The flowers on top of the disc looks very much like yours. I remember having read, that all the weapons shown in the book belonged to Maharaja Madho Singh of Jaipur. One could say it is likely that the swords in the armoury came from the same area, but it is no guarantee, as many weapons changed armoury due to the many wars, - often more than once, and there was also a considerable trade.

ALEX · 13th May 2007, 02:01 PM

Thanks for a nice reference Jens.
I think the example you showed is superior to what I have (especially the top picture). I recently saw a similar hilt, but made using different, non-koftgari, technique. The gold appears to be applied like a paste, or thick ink, without any visible cross-stiching of the metal, in very intricate small floral pattern. I have similar hilt in silver (but mine is again inferior to that:-)

Jeff D · 16th May 2007, 04:31 AM

Hi Jens,

I have been meaning to post this one since I saw your thread, but, I have been delayed for a number of reasons.
ward's wax pencil idea sounds right to me.

Hope this is useful.
Jeff

Jens Nordlunde · 16th May 2007, 09:15 AM

Hi Jeff,

Nice to hear from you, and to see your nice tulwar, with a blade well used. The armoury mark is one of the more clear ones. The number on yours is 181, which you probably know already. On mine the number is 2. I have yet to find out what the letters say/mean, but this will no doubt be difficult, as they are likely to abbreviations.

Jeff D · 18th May 2007, 05:13 AM

Hi Jens,

Thanks for posting this topic. I had a Sikh friend read the script and he said the letters read (phonetically) "ra - khee - Ka", good luck finding out what that means

. Of course it may read completely different in Rajasthan.

All the best
Jeff

Jens Nordlunde · 18th May 2007, 01:24 PM

Hi Jeff,

If a collector thinks it is difficult to find a nice tulwar, to clean it and to etch it, it is nothing compared to the effort it takes to find someone who can/will translate the abbreviated letters

.

Is the armoury mark the only decoration on the blade, and is the decoration on the hilt in relief or flat?

All the best

Jens

Jeff D · 19th May 2007, 07:04 PM

Hi Jens,

I know what you mean about getting translations, don't get me started!

.

The hilt has raised images, I think it is an iron hilt with a silver wash. The strange thing is the patina is a darkish blue rather than black?

The blade has one other worn mark, I will post it below.

All the Best
Jeff

13th May 2007, 10:10 AM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Alex, I found these two pictures on my computer, they are from a book called Damascening on Steel or Iron, as practised in India. The flowers on top of the disc looks very much like yours. I remember having read, that all the weapons shown in the book belonged to Maharaja Madho Singh of Jaipur. One could say it is likely that the swords in the armoury came from the same area, but it is no guarantee, as many weapons changed armoury due to the many wars, - often more than once, and there was also a considerable trade. Attached Images Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 13th May 2007 at 03:01 PM.

16th May 2007, 04:31 AM	#3
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jens, I have been meaning to post this one since I saw your thread, but, I have been delayed for a number of reasons. ward's wax pencil idea sounds right to me. Hope this is useful. Jeff Attached Images

18th May 2007, 01:24 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jeff, If a collector thinks it is difficult to find a nice tulwar, to clean it and to etch it, it is nothing compared to the effort it takes to find someone who can/will translate the abbreviated letters. Is the armoury mark the only decoration on the blade, and is the decoration on the hilt in relief or flat? All the best Jens

19th May 2007, 07:04 PM	#7
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jens, I know what you mean about getting translations, don't get me started! . The hilt has raised images, I think it is an iron hilt with a silver wash. The strange thing is the patina is a darkish blue rather than black? The blade has one other worn mark, I will post it below. All the Best Jeff Attached Images

13th May 2007, 02:01 PM	#2
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Thanks for a nice reference Jens. I think the example you showed is superior to what I have (especially the top picture). I recently saw a similar hilt, but made using different, non-koftgari, technique. The gold appears to be applied like a paste, or thick ink, without any visible cross-stiching of the metal, in very intricate small floral pattern. I have similar hilt in silver (but mine is again inferior to that:-)

16th May 2007, 09:15 AM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jeff, Nice to hear from you, and to see your nice tulwar, with a blade well used. The armoury mark is one of the more clear ones. The number on yours is 181, which you probably know already. On mine the number is 2. I have yet to find out what the letters say/mean, but this will no doubt be difficult, as they are likely to abbreviations.

18th May 2007, 05:13 AM	#5
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jens, Thanks for posting this topic. I had a Sikh friend read the script and he said the letters read (phonetically) "ra - khee - Ka", good luck finding out what that means . Of course it may read completely different in Rajasthan. All the best Jeff