Sword with Persian style decoration in the Topkapi Saray

[Aqtai]

Originally Posted by M.carter

I still do not have an idea why you claim that these have Persian style decoration. Anyway, I believe that sword in plate 21 is the most beautiful in the entire book.

I'm afraid I can't really answer this question very coherently. It's more of a "feeling" than anything else, but based on a number of things.

First there is the exuberance and liveliness of the animals, the simurghs and dragons. Representations of animals are also present in Turkish, Arab and Mughul paintings and metalwork, but they have a more restrained and staid appearence. I believe the simurgh is also a creature from Iranian folklore and finally the dragons on the swords ressemble those shown in Persian miniature paintings.

Then it is the simple fact of having representational art on a sword, Mamluk swords for example tend to have abstract arabesques and/or calligraphy, often the names and titles of sultans and amirs. I don't know enough about Ottoman and Mughul swords, so I'm not going to stick my neck out.