A North Indian talwar with gold-overlaid blackened steel zoomorphic hilt. Based on the pistol-grip hilt of a khanjar, the pommel is in the shape of a parrot's head with a ruby for each eye. The entirety of the hilt is decorated with stylised flower-head gold overlay. This decorative scheme based on circular flowers can be compared to two swords dated to the nineteenth century from Rajput Arms and Armour: The Rathores and Their Armoury at Jodhpur Fort.[1]

The watered-steel single-edged blade is slightly curved. The scabbard is coated in green velvet, with golden openwork palmettes applied at the locket and chape.

[1] Elgood, Robert. Rajput Arms and Armour: The Rathores and Their Armoury at Jodhpur Fort. Vol. 1. 2 vols. New Delhi: Mehrangarh Museum Trust in association with Niyogi Books, 2017, PC08, pp.468–471; ARM/76/64, pp.474–5.