Indian swordstick, Gupti. The steel “stick” is decorated with silver scrolls in koftgari work, and it unscrews to reveal a long slender blade. The gilt brass handle is chased with flowering foliage, and terminates with a stylised lion’s head pommel. Identical work is commonly found on the eponymous “Bhuj”.
Note: koft = gold, koftgar = the craftsman inlaying or decorating with gold [or silver], koftgari = the gold or silver decorated work produced. Guptis are mostly an expression of the Indian delight in mechanical oddities, rather than any practical innovation. See Stone for Gupti and Bhuj; and see Watt pp.42-52 for koftgari. G.C. Stone “A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armour in all countries and in all times� Southworth Press 1934 (and subsequent reprints). Sir G. Watt “Indian Art at Delhi 1903. Being the official catalogue of the Delhi Exhibition, 1902-1903�, Calcutta 1903.
