A rare and attractive hybrid Indian kora with a full tulwar hilt, combining the heavy forward-weighted cutting blade of the traditional kora with the more sophisticated Indo-Muslim hilt form. The broad, axe-like blade flares strongly towards the tip and terminates in the thickened, spatulate kora point characteristic of the type, designed to deliver powerful chopping blows.The blade is richly decorated on both sides with Mughal-influenced panels of hunting scenes, including tigers, elephants and courtly figures, framed within scrolling foliage and floral arabesques. This decorative style is typical of court workshops in Rajasthan and the Himalayan foothill states (Garhwal / Kumaon) in the early 19th century, where traditional Hindu forms were combined with Indo-Persian metalwork.Fitted with a classic iron tulwar hilt with pronounced quillons and disc pommel, giving excellent balance in the hand. The marriage of a kora blade to a tulwar hilt is an uncommon and desirable variant,...