Mughal Bow
India, 18th–19th centuries
The most common bow form of Mughal-period India is distinguished by the sharp angle at the knee that gives these bows their "crab-like" appearance. This unused crab bow displays this distinctive angled recurve. The limbs are covered on both sides with thin leather and varnished. Decoration includes a gold line-and-dot motif bordering the limbs and a floral pattern on the handle. The tips have horn inserts spliced in to prevent breakage and sinew wrapping under the varnish just below the nocks. There are three threads, of unknown material and function, underneath the varnish of the handle.
112.3 cm long , 4.0 cm wide at mid-limb, 1.1 cm thick at mid-limb.
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Mughal Bow
India, 18th–19th centuries
A crab bow that has opened up from use. Both sides are covered with thin leather, decorated in polychrome floral pattern, and varnished. One tip has sinew wrapping below the nock, the other has linen cord.
119.2 cm long , 4.0 cm wide at mid-limb, 1.1 cm thick at mid-limb.
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Sind Bow
India/Pakistan, 19th century
Another distinctive bow type of India is this sinuous form typical of the Sind province of present-day southwestern Pakistan during the late historic period. It is covered with bark, painted and lacquered, and the tips are bound with sinew. The handle and ends of the limbs are painted dark red with floral designs in gold; the bow limbs are yellow with the two parallel ridges on the back highlighted in brown, gold, and white paint. On each side of the handle and at the ends of the limbs are floral and geometric motifs in red, white, green, and black.
118.2 cm long, 3.5 cm wide at mid-limb, 1.7 cm thick at mid-limb.