Indian Sindh or Oudh Bhuj (भुज) Axe Sword dagger 19th C.

A fine example of an early 19th C. bhuj or dagger axe. This example is of a well known form of a very high level of quality with sculptural design in the form of an armed hunter lancing a tiger or other big cat.

The bhuj (Devanāgarī: भुज) is a type of knife or dagger from western India. It is commonly called an axe-knife, because the blade is fixed onto an axe-like haft. The weapon takes its name from the city of Bhuj in the Kachchh district of the state of Gujarat, where it is said to have originatedThe Bhuj is short, broad, stout, and heavy, with a mild curve. This example hasengraved and gilded copper mounts,inlaid with red and green stones and a chiseled and gildeddecorated knob. There-curved blade measures 7.5inches long, and its copper sheath makes the weapon 26 inches long in total.

It is mostly single-edged, except for a slight rear edge at the tip. The blade is mounted at a right angle to a metal haft in a manner similar to a parashu or axe. The haft ishollow and concealsanother small stiletto-like dagger.

A fine example. The only condition issue on this example are slight nick in the blade and the loss of some timber along the long edge of the upper part of the scabbard. Otherwise, condition is very fine with the silver koftgari decoration in fine condition, and the decorative cast sculpture along the spine o the handle miraculously with no losses.