Saber (Shamshir) with Scabbard

Unknown

hilt and scabbard, dated 1819; blade, 18th century · Steel, silver, enamel, ivory, gold, glass · Arms and Armor

The grip bears a gold plaque indicating that this saber was presented in 1819 to Captain Hugh Caldwell of the Bengal Army by his commander. The saber is mounted in engraved and enameled silver typical of Lucknow, where a distinctive school of enameled metalwork flourished starting in the late eighteenth century. The colorful zoomorphic decoration includes a pommel and tips of the guard formed as rams’ heads.

Artist

Unknown

Date

hilt and scabbard, dated 1819; blade, 18th century

Medium

Steel, silver, enamel, ivory, gold, glass

Culture

probably Indian; hilt and scabbard, Indian, probably Lucknow

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935