A Kutch finely chased gold sword hilt in the form of an elephant (talwar), India, late 18th-early 19th century, with a delicate and dense design of stylised flowers and geometric borders below an elephants head which acts as both the pommel and...

A Kutch finely chased gold sword hilt in the form of an elephant (talwar), India, late 18th-early 19th century, with a delicate and dense design of stylised flowers and geometric borders below an elephants head which acts as both the pommel and guard to the hilt, mounted, 19.2cm. high x 9.4cm. wide x 3.4cm. deep The hilt has an overall symmetrical floral pattern to both sides featuring fine stylised rosettes, leaves and sprays filling the available ground and contained within thin lined borders. Separating the floral scenes is a continuous chevron border running the length of the hilt from the quillions up to a collar at the base of the pommel. The quillions each end in a large floral rosette with a beaded border. The chased floral patterns are however usurped by the magnificent elephant head, which rises from the grip above a beaded collar. He faces sideways, head slightly raised with eyes wide open and his large ears pinned back. Two tusks curve in and forwards from just above his slightly opened mouth. His expression however appears quite jovial rather than powerful or intimidating. Below his tusks falls his long trunk in a slight S-curve, forming the knuckle guard of the hilt. A chevron pattern decorates the front whilst overlapping segments cover the underneath, perhaps suggesting the folds of skin which appear on an elephant trunk in real life. His head is decorated with chased patterns in the style of jewelled trappings, suggesting that the elephant was dressed for ceremonial occasions rather than for war.