A '1788 pattern-style' sword, India, circa 1788-96
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the unusual single-edged recurved watered steel blade with off-centre ridge and false edge, with gold overlay in a dense vegetal pattern at the base of the blade mimicking blade supports typical of ‘khanda’-style straight swords, Arabic inscription on one side, the ‘1788 pattern’ style hilt inlaid with floral patterns in gold, the grip of dyed green leather
100.5cm.
inscriptions
On the blade: lā fatā illā ‘alī lā sayf illā dhū’l-faqār, ‘there is no hero like ‘Ali, no sword like Dhu’l-Faqar’
The form of the hilt closely resembles that of the 1788 pattern heavy cavalry officer’s sword, the first of several ‘pattern’ swords adopted by British heavy cavalry regiments, which was undoubtedly its inspiration. Eight years after its introduction, it was superseded by the 1796 pattern.
A 1788 pattern heavy cavalry sword decorated in Europe is in the Royal Armouries, Leeds (inv. no.IX.607). A plain 1788 pattern heavy cavalry officer’s sword was sold at Thomas Del Mar, London, 28 June 2017, lot 130.
![An extremely rare illustrated manuscript of the Ka'banameh (A history of the Ka'ba) by Abdulrahman Gubari (d.1566), signed by Ahmad [...] al-Khatib, Kaposvár, Hungary, dated Dhu'l-Hijjah 1080 AH/April-May 1670 AD](https://dam.sothebys.com/dam/image/lot/1e33ac28-a449-4673-a23f-f1ca4d5a13b3/primary/extra_small)
