Sword Hilt
1800 to 1882 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This finely polished agate sword handle was fashioned in India in the 19th century from locally available raw material. It was acquired by Mr. Arthur Wells who later bequeathed it to the museum in 1882.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Agate, cut and polished using abrasives, the hole most probably being made using a bow-drill. |
Brief description | Sword hilt, translucent, very pale beige-grey agate with occasional fine, dark brown bands, India, 19th century |
Physical description | A gently curved and contoured sword handle with an integral finger-guard and pommel, fashioned in translucent, very pale greyish beige agate with occasional fine, dark brown markings. In the front end, there is a v-shaped notch leading to a deeper hole for the attachment of a blade. There is minimal, lightly engraved decoration and it has been given a highly lustrous polish. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Wells Bequest |
Object history | This sword handle was fashioned in India in the 19th century and it was acquired by Arthur Wells who was a Nottingham solicitor and Clerk of the Peace. He was a keen traveller and was made a Fellow of the Geographical Society. He is considered to be the first private British collector of Chinese jade and his collection of jade and other hardstone objects from South Asia was on exhibition at the South Kensington Museum at the time of his death in 1882. This collection was left to the museum in his will - the Wells Bequest. |
Summary | This finely polished agate sword handle was fashioned in India in the 19th century from locally available raw material. It was acquired by Mr. Arthur Wells who later bequeathed it to the museum in 1882. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1647-1882 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest