art-of-swords:Firangi SwordDated: 18th centuryCulture: IndianMedium: steel, gold, wood, velvetMeasur
art-of-swords:Firangi SwordDated: 18th centuryCulture: IndianMedium: steel, gold, wood, velvetMeasurements: overall length 107cm; blade length 84 cmThe Firangi is an Indian weapon used by the Maratha tribes who made them with the blades of the swords that the Portuguese imported from Europe – hence the name firangi meaning foreigner – or were produced locally but imitating their characteristics. This kind of sword always presents a double edged blade, straight and quite long, usually with three or four reinforcement fullers in order to be able to be used with both hands. Usually the hilt would follow a traditional Indian model with a large cup in the shape of a basket and a hand guard connected to the circular pommel and ending in a long spike.This particular piece shows that traditional European-made blade and a tempered steel hilt with an engraved and gold incrusted floral decoration near the pommel and base of the spike, the grip is covered in fabric. Its scabbard is made of wood, covered in red velvet with a tip in watered steel and “ensuite” decoration. A similar example can be seen in the Hermann Historica, Selected Collector’s pieces (Auction’s Catalogue), Munich, 19 October 2005, lot. 114; Cameron Stone, 1999, p. 229, fig. 283; Tirri, 2004, p. 315, figs. 235-236.Source: Copyright © 2016 Caravana Collection -- source link