Art Funded by you

Pair of Pistols

Sayyid Ma'sum, 1795–1796

V&A South Kensington, London

A pair of silver-mounted pistols from the Royal Workshop of Tipu Sultan with left and right hand locks. The strong French influence on the design of the locks reflects the shrewd use Tipu Sultan made of the best modern weapons technology to make his army one of the most effective in India. The barrels are decorated with Persian verses overlaid in gold praising the ruler and incorporating a calligramme in the form of a tiger head, the symbol of Tipu Sultan.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Pair of Pistols, 1795–1796

Date supported

2005

Medium and material

Steel & gold

Dimensions

Length: 37.5 cm

Grant

14286

Total cost

30000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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