North Indian All-Steel Damascus Recurve Bow

North India

19th century

Steel (Damascus)

Length 35 1/4 in (89.5 cm)

Provenance: London trade

This North Indian all-steel Damascus bow is fully functioning, with limbs thickened at the center to provide the flex required for use. The recurved shape works efficiently when strung and pulled, and the bow unscrews at the handle section with both limbs attaching to the ends of the steel grip, a construction method characteristic of high quality Indian steel bows produced for martial and hunting use. The Damascus patterning is carried across the full surface of the piece.

Steel bows were used throughout Islamic warfare and hunting across the Indian subcontinent, valued for their ease of care and resistance to the climatic conditions that damaged the more traditional composite bows of horn wood and sinew. The all-steel construction made these bows less susceptible to damp and breakage while maintaining the recurved form that delivered power and accuracy in the field. This is an intact and functioning example of a type that rarely survives in complete condition.

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