View Single Post
Old 22nd February 2024, 12:09 PM   #43
Peter Hudson
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 314
Default

Name:  1419696275_1.jpg
Views: 1787
Size:  77.4 KB

Name:  thumbnail_images (91).jpg
Views: 1807
Size:  11.9 KB

Just adding a few words about the applied decoration and what I have identified as a sort of Royal Signature on Omani and Zanzibari weapons... and this work applied using quite rudimentary equipment either stitched onto leather or hammered onto steel hilts/quillons though not onto all the examples
which suggests to me that those VIP richly decorated swords may well have been presentation items and or high ranking business owners or Officers in the Omani Navy. Those swords of a lesser grade / munitions grade probably not so lavishly adorned nevertheless a degree of transfer identified in common design style. I tend to see some potential copying from the main style in Ottoman style plus style from other previous Omani types as well as unusual additions such as the Turtle motiff...and with a regional probably inexpensive blades ...and the black leather Scabbards complete with a sworl pattern. The apparent horses head hilt when finished in Ivory and gold imported from African trade operations into Zanzibars artesan workshops Joins the array of incredible designs and the broadened bottom third points at Malibari style seen on Moplah.

Last edited by Peter Hudson; 22nd February 2024 at 04:56 PM.
Peter Hudson is offline   Reply With Quote