An interesting side note on Hungarian blades, few if any of these were actually made in Hungary, and I suspect many of these were actually Solingen or Styrian products.
One of these sabres is shown in 'Swords and Armour: Weapons of the Islamic World' , Riyadh, 1991, p.92, and it is noted that the hilt is in the 'Baddawi' form and blade is of type 'made in Hungary' in 17th-18th centuries. It is noted that these swords were notably for the Najdi dancing.
I am unclear on exactly what this pertains to but it is interesting to note ceremonial aspects of many Arabian swords, as well discussed with Ibrahiim on the Omani kattara and the Funoon.
I would still like to know what significance with the coral beads in the chain guard. Some of these type features seem to occur in the form of small 'amuletic' type items in the chain, but often a string of beads in specific number are seen. It seems I read somewhere this has to do with religious significance in Islamic Faith.
|