Indian Shamshir Presented to King Edward VII by Pragmalji II Rao, Maharao of Cutch
A sword with a curved blade, and a solid gold enamelled hilt inlaid with diamonds arranged in a floral design. The pommel and ends of the cross-guard cast to resemble cheetah or leopard heads. The wooden scabbard encased in gold, worked in repousse and chased with designs of birds and flowers.
The enamelled hilt suggests that the sword was made in Bikaner or Jaipur, Rajasthan, two renowned centres in India for enamelling in red, blue and green. The blade also has a stamped mark usually associated with the Bikaner armoury. The scabbard was perhaps made by goldsmiths in Cutch, who produced vessels out of precious metals with similar ornamentation.
Presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Pragmalji II Rao, Maharao of Cutch.
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935 Size: L. with scabbard 27 ½ in. (69.9 cm); L. of blade 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm); W. 2 in. (5.1 cm); Wt. with scabbard 2 lb. 0.8 oz. (929.9 g) Medium: Iron, gold, turquoise, coral, leather, wood
Imagine if you walked into someone else’s mind. Imagine if they walked into yours. Imagine that you couldn’t tell which was which. Imagine that it didn’t matter. Imagine that the membrane between you was so thin that what is you and what is her can no longer be clearly defined. Imagine that “mine” and “your” fell away, leaving only “our”. Imagine that the reason you can’t tell was because you are, on a fundamental level, the same person. Imagine you were two halves of a soul that were never supposed to be put together. Imagine that you smiled. Imagine that you’ve been fighting all year, but when you first get the chance to exist in this primordial, spiritual space, all that exists is gentleness and peace. Imagine that this is all you ever wanted. Imagine that she touched your cheek. Imagine that you were soulmates. Imagine that this was never acknowledged again. Imagine that the first thing she did when she woke up was walk to you and kiss you. Imagine that you never knew. Imagine that I watched this scene thirteen years ago and it permanently rotted my brain from inside to out.
