Auctions Imperial 2018 Arms & Armor November
Lot 291:
Description
The work of a Mughal Court Workshop master, the walrus grips carved with fingerstalls, the faceted pommel, guard and tangbands all wrought of fine Persian black wootz, and superbly inlaid with gold. The left hilt further enriched with three 23 karat gold mounts comprising a finely filigreed medallion at the center of the guard set with a rose cut diamond, and two fine filigreed bosses on the grip. The right hilt set with a gilded silver Seal of Solomon on the guard, and two fine gold filigreed appliques representing two crescents, one with a five-pointed star set with a turquoise. The massive blade long, broad, single-edged, and moderately curved, with paired fullers at the spine on each side, the base of that on the right recurved after the early tradition. Forged of exceptional Kara Taban (Brilliant Black) wootz and inlaid in gold at the right forte, ALLAH! surrounded by three crescents, characteristic of Mamluk blades, together with five gold-inlaid panels on the spine. In its wooden scabbard with gold-inlaid steel suspension bands and chape, covered in crimson silk finely embroidered with the Imperial Peacock in gilt thread on the obverse and lotuses on the reverse, together with a silver plaque inscribed, SHAMSHEER SWORD OF THE MOGUL EMPEROR MAHOMMED SHAH RANGEELA CAPTURED AT THE BATTLE OF CARNAL 1739 A.D. Late 17th-early 18th century. Tangbands with areas of rust, blade with minor areas of rubbing, one suspension band a period replacement, silk well worn overall. Overall length 94cm. Muhammad Shah (r.1719-1748) was the last of the Grand Mughals to rule over a unified empire. Nadir Shah (r. 1735-1747) established the Afshar Dynasty in Iran and in a short period, greatly extended its borders. In 1739, Nadir Shah invaded India, defeated and captured Muhammad Shah at the Battle of Karnal, then entered and sacked the Mughal capital, Delhi. In order to preserve the lives of his people, Muhammad Shah turned over the entire contents of the Delhi Treasury to Nadir Shah; this included the gold and jeweled Peacock Throne of the Mughal Emperors as well as the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, the largest known in its time, which later became one of the British Crown Jewels. Upon his assassination in 1747, Nadir Shah’s chief of staff, Ahmed Shah Durrani, crossed the Indus in 1748 with the intention of entering Delhi once again, however this time the invaders were repelled by Muhammad Shah’s forces. Muhammad Shah died the same year, at the age of 46. Condition II
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