Lot 190. A Mughal diamond and gem-set jade hilt, India, 18th-19th century. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.

the light green jade of pistol-grip form with rounded pommel and scroll quillons, decorated with colourful gemstones, including rubies and emeralds, in gold settings designed as flowering stems  - 13cm. height.

Note: The shape of this type of jade-hilt, with a curved pommel, first appeared in the second half of the seventeenth century. This dating is also corroborated by the fact that no similar shaped hilts are visible in paintings beforehand (Jaffer 2013, p.187, no.53). This shape, combined with the kundan technique of insetting precious stones was frequently used in the production of rock-crystal and jade hilts. Similar gem-set hilts are now in the Furusiyya Art Foundation (inv. no. R-29), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 36.25.652a, b) and were sold in these Rooms, 16 October 2016, lot 257 and 9 October 2013, lot 245.

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World, London, 26 Apr 2017, 10:30 AM