knife

[mahratt]

Dear Forumites,
This knife was presented on one of the Russian Forums. It drew very different opinions as to its attribution.
Can you please look at it and render your opinions, impressions and insights?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Battara]

I am not sure but it looks like a mix to me. The silver mounts look Indo-Persian. The blade looks modern. The quillons look either Turkish or European to me.

I'm curious to see what others think.

[ALEX]

The blade is not modern - it is of black "Persian" wootz. The piercings do remind of Central Asia/Afghanistan work, but one of the likely descriptions is that it is of 19th C Tatar/Crimean origin. An interesting example.

[Battara]

With a better picture I now see what you mean Alex about the blade.

[mahratt]

There are still opinions? Central Asia/Afghanistan work? Turkish? Tatar?

[Aleksey G.]

Alex,
I completely concur with you bro - this looks to be an afgani knife. Just the look of it and the decoration piercings....just all speak afganistan.
Ive included a picture of a pulwar I used to have in my collection, please note the piercings in the guard.

Aleksey

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by mahratt

There are still opinions? Central Asia/Afghanistan work? Turkish? Tatar?

The concept of multi-cultural production prevailed throughout the centuries. similar to many Indo-Persian pieces, where different such called "trade blades" were furnished in various local tastes using various "tribal" techniques, this example shows similar fusion. The blade could have been produced anywhere in Persia, Syria, Turkey, etc and dressed anywhere in Central Asia or in Tatarstan or Crimea area. Crimea was part of Ottoman empire until 1850s. Tatarstan, by the way, was/is not part of Crimea. The Tatar attribution opinion is based on the shape of the handle, which is similar to the Tatar saber.
Alex, thanx fror the great comparison example, piercing definitely looks similar.