Sword
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Steel, silver
Dimensions
H. 27 5/8 in. (70.2 cm); W. 5 15/16 in. (15.1 cm); D. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 12.8 oz. (816.5 g)
Classification
Swords
Culture
Indian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.1596
Art Historical Context
This elegant Indian sword, dating to the 18th–19th century, exemplifies masterful craftsmanship of South Asian arms makers. Crafted from steel with silver accents, it measures 27⅝ inches in height and weighs just under 2 pounds, making it both formidable and balanced for combat or ceremonial use. The combination of durable steel for the blade and ornate silver for the hilt or fittings highlights the technical prowess of Indian metallurgists, who were renowned for their ability to forge blades with exceptional strength and flexibility through techniques like pattern welding. In the context of ...