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A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 1
A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 2
A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 3
A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 4
A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 5
A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda) Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century image 6
Lot 268

A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda)
Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century

22 May 2025, 11:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £53,740 inc. premium

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A fine Sikh gold koftgari watered-steel sword (khanda)
Lahore, Punjab, early 19th Century

the double-edged watered-steel blade widening towards the tip, reinforced along its spine and lower edge with applied steel cuff decorated in gold overlay with floral interlace, the hilt decorated in gold overlay with floral and foliate scrollwork, the underside of the pommel with floral motifs, with leather covered grip
90.1 cm. long

Footnotes

Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Oded and Tsipora Shermister, Germany.

The present sword bears a striking resemblance to the double-edged broadsword or Khanda of Raja Jowahir Singh in the Toor Collection, published in Davinder Toor, In Pursuit of Empire, London, 2018, p. 145. The sword in the Toor Collection is inscribed in Gurmukhi '[May the] Immortal One protect Sardar Jowa[hi]r Singh. Year 1844–45 CE'. Raja Jowahir Singh was the eldest brother of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's most famous queen, Maharani Jind Kaur. It was owing to her influence that he briefly served as wazir at the court of Lahore during the reign of his nephew, Maharaja Duleep Singh, until his assassination in 1845.

Additional information