A Kutch Gilt copper mounted steel sword (Shamshir) Western India, early 19th Century the single-edged watered-steel blade of curved form with gold and silver inlaid inscription-filled cartouches to one side, partial hammered maker's mark to same side, the gilt copper hilt decorated with floral interlace and borders of lozenge motifs, the wood scabbard clad entirely in red velvet with gilt copper mounts decorated en suite 90.5 cm. long Footnotes: Inscriptions: 'The owner J. Benson (?)', 'Ali. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com