A RARE SOUTH INDIAN SWORD (KHANDA) Lot n° 5

A RARE SOUTH INDIAN SWORD (KHANDA), 16TH/17TH CENTURY, with broad double-edged blade of wootz steel swelling to a ~Cobra~s head~ tip, patinated steel hilt formed with a pair of strongly moulded langets extending over the forte on each side, the portion at the forte widening, curved with blade-catching lugs and engraved with flowers on each face, dish-guard formed of a pair of strongly curved D-shaped panels, the outer face forming a pair of blade-catching lugs en suite, large cup-shaped pommel engraved with scrollwork on the inside, faceted bud-shaped button, and swelling grip decorated with three chevron lines at the base, 81.5 cm blade ¦¦Roy Elvis Catalogue Number C104.¦¦A related example is preserved in the British Museum (inv. no. 09.1924.11-11.57). See Elgood 2004, p. 83. ¦¦Highlight from the Roy Elvis Collection (1944-2022)¦