A decorated Kard for comment and help with translation

GePi · 24th April 2022, 09:11 AM

Hello,

I would like to present a very elaborately decorated Kard I acquired last year and on which I finally finished the last bit of restoration work. It is extensively decorated with chiselling and gold inlay in a Persian manner, but due to several features (recurved blade, 'beaked' pommel, raised rivet heads, scabbard style) I am certain it comes from Afghanistan.

Is is dated to 1272 AH - 1855/1856 AD. The wootz pattern is quite nice in general, but it has quite a few flaws with areas where it complety disappears, which to me fits both to the late date of manufacuture and an origin outside of the major production centers in Iran.

For the maker's name I would suggest احمد صوفی الله - Ahmad Sufi Allah, and for the small aftabi inlay on the spine of the blade يا الله - Oh Allah.

The inscriptions on the backstrap and on the flats of the blade are way too complicated to read for me, although I can certainly spot several Allahs and Alis, so I would assume they are of a religious nature. If Kwiatek or someone else would be able to decipher those I would be very grateful.

Drabant1701 · 24th April 2022, 09:40 AM

Very nice piece! Love the patterns

David R · 24th April 2022, 10:41 AM

Very nice indeed.

BBking · 24th April 2022, 12:38 PM

Really nice !
Have you old/ first pictures of your kard for see before/after restoration work !

CharlesS · 24th April 2022, 12:58 PM

Extraordinary craftsmanship!! Congrats!

Saracen · 24th April 2022, 03:14 PM

This is an amazing Kard. Thank you for posting.
The decoration of the locket of the scabbard also looks Afghan to me.

mahratt · 24th April 2022, 06:57 PM

Fantastic Kard! Thank you for the opportunity to see this item.
Handle and scabbard are clearly made in Afghanistan.

24th April 2022, 09:11 AM	#1
GePi Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Germany Posts: 95	A decorated Kard for comment and help with translation Hello, I would like to present a very elaborately decorated Kard I acquired last year and on which I finally finished the last bit of restoration work. It is extensively decorated with chiselling and gold inlay in a Persian manner, but due to several features (recurved blade, 'beaked' pommel, raised rivet heads, scabbard style) I am certain it comes from Afghanistan. Is is dated to 1272 AH - 1855/1856 AD. The wootz pattern is quite nice in general, but it has quite a few flaws with areas where it complety disappears, which to me fits both to the late date of manufacuture and an origin outside of the major production centers in Iran. For the maker's name I would suggest احمد صوفی الله - Ahmad Sufi Allah, and for the small aftabi inlay on the spine of the blade يا الله - Oh Allah. The inscriptions on the backstrap and on the flats of the blade are way too complicated to read for me, although I can certainly spot several Allahs and Alis, so I would assume they are of a religious nature. If Kwiatek or someone else would be able to decipher those I would be very grateful. Attached Images

24th April 2022, 09:40 AM	#2
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Very nice piece! Love the patterns

24th April 2022, 10:41 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	Very nice indeed.

24th April 2022, 12:38 PM	#4
BBking Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 66	Really nice ! Have you old/ first pictures of your kard for see before/after restoration work !

24th April 2022, 12:58 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Extraordinary craftsmanship!! Congrats!

24th April 2022, 03:14 PM	#6
Saracen Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 147	This is an amazing Kard. Thank you for posting. The decoration of the locket of the scabbard also looks Afghan to me.

24th April 2022, 06:57 PM	#7
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Fantastic Kard! Thank you for the opportunity to see this item. Handle and scabbard are clearly made in Afghanistan.