cast in one piece, the pommel in the form of a snarling tiger's head in the round, punched and matted decoration, the ears erect, the eyes inset with rubies, the teeth still with original silvering, the faceted grip shaped for the hand and decorated with bubri pattern, the short quillons with bulbous terminals, the narrow langets pierced for a later blade to be fitted, traces of original gilding throughout
14.5 cm. high

Footnotes

Provenance:
Robin Wigington collection, the Arms and Armour Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon;
Private collection, acquired Sotheby's, The Tipu Sultan Sale, 25th May 2005, lot 2.

The very small size of this hilt suggests that it was made to fit a child's hand, and the relative luxury of the work, employing gemstones as well as gilding and silvering, suggests that such a child would have been one of Tipu's sons.

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A rare bronze Hilt with tiger head Pommel for a Child's Sword, probably a prince Mysore, circa 1790-95

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Matthew Thomas