A RARE SOUTH INDIAN SWORD (KHANDA) Lot n° 1

A RARE SOUTH INDIAN SWORD (KHANDA), PROBABLY VIJAYANAGARA, 14TH/15TH CENTURY, with broad blade of flattened-diamond section flaring to a ~cobra~s head~ tip (chipped), iron hilt (restorations) extending over the lower third of the blade with a pair of shaped robust moulded bars terminating on each face with a pair of short prongs arranged at right angles to the blade, each side with a pair of long moulded bars enclosing the edge of the blade, deep V-shaped guard, tall segmental stepped mace-like pommel with head of eight flanges, and swelling iron integral grip, 73.5 cm, blade¦¦Roy Elvis Catalogue Number C21.¦¦A related example, with a grip of similar form, is preserved in the British Museum (inv. no. 293374). See Elgood 2004, p. 82. Another, formerly in the collection of Henri Moser, is preserved in the Bernisches Historisches Museum, see Moser 1912, p. XIII, pl. XXIII, no. 107.¦¦Highlight from the Roy Elvis Collection (1944-2022)¦