Sword with curved blade of forged steel with enamelled silver hilt; leather sheath with enamelled mounts, Lucknow, 17th-18th century century

Bequeathed by the late Lady Anna Caroline Chandos Pole

Accession book description:
Sword (Shamsher) and Scabbard.
The sword-blade is of watered steel, and the handle of enamelled and gilt silver. The scabbard is of tooled and gilt leather, with tip and suspending bands of enamelled and gilt silver. Presented to the Hon. L.F.C. Stanhope (afterwards fifth Earl of Harrington) by Akbar Shah II, King of Delhi (1806-1827) while serving as aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Hastings, Governor-General of India between 1813 and 1823.
Mogul (Lucknow); late 17th century.
Sword L. 3ft., W of hilt, 41/4 in.
Scabbard, L 2 ft. 8 3/4 in. W 1 3/4 in.
The sword blade is curved having the edge on the outer side. The handle terminates in a bird"s head as do the extremities of the quillon. The grip has a flowering plant.
Bequest. The late Lady Anna Caroline Chandos Pole.
Received from the Executors, 15 July 1914
RP 1914/3555M.
As originally arranged and displayed in Exhibition Road Indian Museum galleries until 1955, with some additions while in storage, case F.708;;

Bequeathed by the late Lady Anna Caroline Chandos Pole. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1914-3555M, in File No. 638

IM.414&A-1914