MOGUL HORSEMANS SWORD.

Aurangzeb period, 1658-1707. Iron hilt with recurved knuckle bow chiseled overall in stylized foliage and flower heads. This is an early example of the stylized form of decoration introduced by Aurangzeb along with his conservative Islamic policies which reversed much of the liberalism of his fathers (Shah Jahan) reign. 29 3/4" curved s.e. broad fullered blade with particularly long ricasso incised in foliage with red pigment inlay and false edge. The hilt shows dark patina and uniform lustrous patina from handling. Blade smooth with mottled patina and pigment inlay about 50% intact. A good arsenal kept example, probably released in the 1980s dispersals.