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Sword (Ral gri)

14th–16th century
Not on view
This is one of the best examples from a small group of rare early swords from Tibet. The hilt of this sword, including its grip, is made entirely of iron that has been embossed, chiseled, and then damascened in gold and silver. The guard, just below the grip, is in the form of a stylized mask with teeth and fangs, representing a protective deity or guardian figure. Straight double-edged blades of this type are seen more often on Chinese swords, but they were also used in Tibet.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sword (Ral gri)
  • Date: 14th–16th century
  • Culture: Tibetan or Chinese
  • Medium: Iron, steel, gold, silver
  • Dimensions: L. 34 7/8 in. (88.6 cm); L. of blade 29 1/2 in. (74.9 cm); W. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 2.5 oz. (978.1 g)
  • Classification: Swords
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Fletcher Fund, by exchange, 1995
  • Object Number: 1995.136
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Pair of Stirrups (<i>yob</i>), Iron, gold, silver, Tibetan or Mongolian
Pair of Stirrups (yob)
Tibetan or Mongolian
possibly 12th–14th century
Sword Guard, Iron, gold, silver, copper, Tibetan or Chinese
Sword Guard
Tibetan or Chinese
14th–15th century
Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense), Iron, leather, gold, silver, brass or copper alloy, textile, Tibetan or Mongolian
Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense)
Tibetan or Mongolian
late 15th–early 17th century
Armored Cavalryman, Steel, iron, gold, silver, copper alloy, brass, wood, leather, textile, bone, horn, silk, hair, turquoise, lead, Tibetan, and possibly Bhutanese and Nepalese
Armored Cavalryman
Tibetan, and possibly Bhutanese and Nepalese
18th–19th century
Spear (Mdung), Iron, wood, leather, Tibetan
Spear (Mdung)
Tibetan
18th–19th century

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