Nice Persian TABAR for comment

Valjhun · 21st June 2008, 08:17 PM

10 inches across

early qajar?

Atlantia · 21st June 2008, 08:40 PM

Very nice!
Is the handle original?

The head is a lovely shape, very elegant. Is it sharp?

Valjhun · 22nd June 2008, 02:46 AM

I don't think that the handle is original. It could be, but I find it very improbable.

Yes, it retains all original sharpness. Very sharp.

ariel · 22nd June 2008, 04:45 AM

My guess this is a relatively recent and non-functional production. The top does not seem to agree with the style, it looks almost like a door knob.It is nailed to the shaft, and this is unlikely to be original... The koftgari is uneven, pretty basic and too intact to be truly old.
Overall, I think it is a Qajar or, more likely, Pahlavi-era bazaar piece.
Am I being too paranoid?

Jim McDougall · 22nd June 2008, 05:47 AM

While a very attractive piece, this does seem to be an interpretation of Persian parade axes of the 18th century. These had the symmetrical crescents, but no knob type affectation at the top of the haft.

There does seem to be some interesting history behind these double headed axes that extends back to ancient Minoans and Knossos. The double axe was apparantly called a 'labrys', and as the palace at Knossos was the fabled labrynthe it was known as 'house of the double axe'. While not claiming to be a classical historian, I found this interesting, but did not pursue the possible links to Persian history, and some notes to the use of the double crescent in thier art.

Elgood, in "Islamic Arms and Armour" (p.238) notes that in the Ottoman courts, the 'Peiks' (Persian=the messengers) which were one of the Sultan's bodyguard units carried axes with double heads.

Tim Simmons · 22nd June 2008, 09:26 AM

The axe blade could be a 19th century Indian version. I thought the blade looked quite good in that case.

21st June 2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Nice Persian TABAR for comment 10 inches across early qajar? Attached Images

21st June 2008, 08:40 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Very nice! Is the handle original? The head is a lovely shape, very elegant. Is it sharp?

22nd June 2008, 02:46 AM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	I don't think that the handle is original. It could be, but I find it very improbable. Yes, it retains all original sharpness. Very sharp.

22nd June 2008, 04:45 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My guess this is a relatively recent and non-functional production. The top does not seem to agree with the style, it looks almost like a door knob.It is nailed to the shaft, and this is unlikely to be original... The koftgari is uneven, pretty basic and too intact to be truly old. Overall, I think it is a Qajar or, more likely, Pahlavi-era bazaar piece. Am I being too paranoid?

22nd June 2008, 05:47 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,800	While a very attractive piece, this does seem to be an interpretation of Persian parade axes of the 18th century. These had the symmetrical crescents, but no knob type affectation at the top of the haft. There does seem to be some interesting history behind these double headed axes that extends back to ancient Minoans and Knossos. The double axe was apparantly called a 'labrys', and as the palace at Knossos was the fabled labrynthe it was known as 'house of the double axe'. While not claiming to be a classical historian, I found this interesting, but did not pursue the possible links to Persian history, and some notes to the use of the double crescent in thier art. Elgood, in "Islamic Arms and Armour" (p.238) notes that in the Ottoman courts, the 'Peiks' (Persian=the messengers) which were one of the Sultan's bodyguard units carried axes with double heads.

22nd June 2008, 09:26 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,747	The axe blade could be a 19th century Indian version. I thought the blade looked quite good in that case.