Another Tulwar

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.

9th August 2012, 12:40 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	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	#2
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	#3
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 314	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.