Talwar sword with a zulfikar or dhû'l faqâr blade, India, 19 - Lot 210

Talwar sword with a zulfikar or dhû'l faqâr blade, India, 19th century Single-branch talwar handle, openwork discoidal end and two flowery quillons, in chased steel in relief and inlaid with silver floral decoration. The later blade is split and partly serrated, in steel inlaid with the Shi'ite Arabic formula "Lâ fatah ilâ 'Alî lâ saif ila dhûl faqâr" / "There is no man like 'Alî, no sword like the zulfikar". Scabbard sheathed in beige velvet and crossed by a braid of woven metal wires, the ends with steel trimmings of chased floral decoration in relief and enhanced with gold. Total length: 96 cm Traces of rust and oxidation, blade undoubtedly a foreign one attached later, scabbard worn. The zulfikar, a long saber with a split blade, is a weapon closely linked to the Islamic religion, first to the Prophet Muhammad, who is said to have found one among the spoils of the battle of Badr (624), then to 'Alî, to whom Muhammad is said to have given it. Here, the scalloped edge of the blade may refer to the original appearance of Dhû'l Faqâr according to sources, as well as to the etymology of the name, "faqra" meaning "vertebra" in Arabic. The inscription on the blade suggests that the weapon was made for a Shiite patron. The embossed, inlaid decoration on the hilt is common on 19th-century talwars. This technique can be found on several pieces in the Khalili Collection in London (MTW 1139-1141).