The centre of attention was a Sikh tulwar of c.1800 which was bid all the way to €18,000 (£16,020). The surface of the broad, curved blade was rusty and the gilt iron hilt badly worn but the inscription Akali Sahi Saroop Singh Ji was legible inside the guard loop.
Sikh tulwar in Italian saleroom
Edged weapons from the East were also an important part of the sale held by Czerny (20% buyer’s premium) in Sarzano, Italy, on June 16.