- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 46:
Description
Indian ethnographic short sword with a matching zoomorphic scabbard featuring mixed-material construction. The sword hilt is sculpted into a long-bearded human head with a dark-finished surface, accented by a tuft of light-colored fur and an inset bone or horn element at the guard. The double-edged steel blade is decorated with a faint etched figure of a man holding a staff and vertically oriented block lettering. The accompanying scabbard is composed of black-finished hide or leather, embellished with two applied three-dimensional creatures: a two-headed lizard with a textured, scaly body and a winding, spotted snake with white inset eyes. A secondary fur collar and a projecting bone tooth are mounted near the scabbard throat. The blade is marked POLISHED IN INDIA. 22 1/2" L x 5 1/2" W x 1 1/2" D.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
The item is in fair condition with significant wear. The steel blade shows heavy surface abrasions, scattered oxidation, and a partially polished-out inscription. One side of the hilt guard has a loss of material where a projection was formerly attached. The scabbard leather exhibits surface grime, cracking, and wear along the edges. The applied zoomorphic figures show minor losses to the surface finish.
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