A GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) STEEL CEREMONIAL SOSUN PATTAH SWORD
Possibly Rajasthan or Punjab Hills, Northern India, early 19th century

With a forward-curved single-edged steel blade with a semi-sharp back edge, the unsharpened and hollow section of the spine decorated with koftgari chevrons and in-filled with minute seed pearls, the centre of the blade with five medial shallow grooves on either side, their crests heightened in gold, the opposite ends embellished with figural cartouches chased in high relief and overlaid in gold, presenting different aspects of the Hindu Shakti (female primordial cosmic deity) including Chandika, a fiery destructive warrior-like Goddess; Mahakali, the Goddess of Time and Death; Durga in her version of the Buffalo Demon Slayer (Durga Mahisasuramardini); and another version of Durga, or possibly the tantric manifestation of Parvati as the Goddess of Protection; each panel accompanied by a rectangular cartouche identifying the subject in Devanagari script heightened in gold, the heavily ornate forte presenting further koftgari figural decorations in the form of two militant male Hindu Gods, one drawing a sword and a trisula (trident), possibly representing Shiva, and the latter with a club and chakram, representing Vishnu, surmounted by a typical 'Hindu basket hilt' with curved knuckleguard and tall, slanted and gently faceted stem with bulbous pommel at the top, profusely decorated with koftgari vegetal scrolls and rosette sprays, the interior of the knuckleguard and grip lined in red velvet matching the lining of the long wooden scabbard, 110.5cm long including the scabbard.

Given the weight, the 'Hindu basket hilt', and most importantly, the profuse and opulent gold decoration in both figural and vegetal form, it seems highly likely that this sword was never used in battle. It must have been conceived as an important ceremonial sword connected to devotional practices and rituals performed in the cult of the Hindu Shakti or Devi.