dating: early 20th Century
provenance: India
Wide, single -and false-edged blade, tang and back with gilt and pierced strengthening band, the base decorated with golden tigers and the names of the goddess Durga reincarnations in devanghari, followed by nine oval medallions featuring fine engravings depicting the goddess in her nine forms of incarnation (Nava-Durga, nava means 9) with animals as the tiger, the elephant, the lion, the buffalo and birds, others with defeated enemies, everything surrounded by vine shoots and gilt garlands, hunting scenes on the tip. The opposite side of the blade worked en suite (slightly different decorations). Large, tulvar-like grip of engraved and gilt iron, featuring the effigy go the Goddess, same decorations under the large, disc-shaped pommel, on framed rays.

Circular, convex, iron spar provided with four studs chiseled and gilt with flowers, at the centre the deity Surya framed by rays, depicting the sun framed by four depictions of the Goddess Parvati, Chinnamasta, Hasthiji, Kali and Durga; on the border are nine medallions depicting the nine incarnations of the Goddess Durga. All frames of the medallions and the three rings en suite with the one of the sousson patah. The inside lined with burgundy velvet decorated with green floral motifs, at the centre a cushion with two fabric handles. Provenance: according to the owner, thug and sipar were bought at a London auction in 1932, they were part of a sale featuring objects from the famous Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl of Kitchener "of Khartoum".

See a khanda with very similar decorations and manufacture, sold at Bonhams on April the 29th 2015, as lot 125. It was part of Richard R. Wagner Jr. collection, sold for 24.000 Euro Buyer's Premium included.







dimensions: length 95 cm.