Not currently on display at the V&A

Sword Hilt

18th century (made)

The sword hilt would most probably have been made as much for appearance as for functionality. Although the nephrite jade would have enhanced the appearance of the sword, the weight of the hilt would also have helped to counter-balance the steel blade. Although nephrite is a hard and durable material, one major disadvantage is that it could be liable to damage from sharp impacts, possibly sufficient to render the sword unusable without a replacement hilt.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Grey nephrite jade, chrome green jadeite jade, pearl and ruby. Fashioned using abrasives and abrasive-charged tools.
Brief description
A sword hilt, carved flower and leaf design, grey nephrite jade, set pearl, ruby and chrome green jadeite jade, Mughal, 18th century
Physical description
A sword hilt with a pistol grip, fashioned in grey nephrite jade that contains small inclusions as black flecks. It has flower and leaf decoration carved in low relief on the pommel and adjacent to the scroll-shaped quillons. There is a groove carved into the blade end, which extends along most of the length of the quillons and there is also a hole drilled part way down the length of the handle. There are twelve small round cavities carved into the designs at the pommel and quillon ends, and most contain remnants of a pale beige glue or resin for holding small gems. Four cavities have stones present, one uncut and waterworn ruby pebble, a second small red pebble which is probably also a ruby, one natural pearl and one round cabochon of bright chrome green jadeite jade.
Dimensions
  • Length: 118.0mm (Note: Overall length)
  • Height: 42.8mm (Note: The distance between the ends of the quillons)
  • Width: 21.2mm (Note: The distance between the sides of the quillons)
  • Width: 20.4mm (Note: The width of the pommel)
  • Depth: 30.0mm (Note: Depth of the hole down the hilt)
Credit line
Dr. W. L. Hildburgh Bequest
Object history
This sword hilt was bequeathed to The Victoria & Albert Museum by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh in 1956
Summary
The sword hilt would most probably have been made as much for appearance as for functionality. Although the nephrite jade would have enhanced the appearance of the sword, the weight of the hilt would also have helped to counter-balance the steel blade. Although nephrite is a hard and durable material, one major disadvantage is that it could be liable to damage from sharp impacts, possibly sufficient to render the sword unusable without a replacement hilt.
Collection
Accession number
IS.35-1956

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
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