17th-early 19th century. Companion to our A4496. Iron hilt of Pant type 281 which he describes as Aurangzebi and notes that it is found both with and without a knuckle bow. The name derives from Aurangzeb, son of Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal. He deposed and succeeded his father in 1658 and implemented changes including the design and decoration of swords. This hilt is based on the design he introduced and is iron, with a dished pommel and fine full reeded grip. It is finely decorated in silver koftgari in formal stylized foliage, an adaptation of the natural foliage associated with Shah Jahan and the Mughal rulers who preceded him, and specific to Aurangzeb. The 24 ½” recurved blade is flat-sided with a broad beveled edge and terminates with a split scorpion form tip emulating Zul-Fakir, “Lord of cleaving”, the sword given by the archangel Gabriel to Mahomed (Muhammad). The forte is decorated in a large panel of silver koftgari matching the hilt and the right side with a maker’s or owner’s seal. The silver is bright and complete including the usual wear points as the underside of the pommel, but for the tip of the tendrils on the forte and edges of the seal. From the Sir Frank Bowden Collection, Thame Park, Oxfordshire England.
