Strange yataghan! Russian?

ariel · 14th February 2016, 06:14 AM

There was another Russian yataghan for sale at the last year (?)Auctions Imperial.
Personally, I never liked them: they are as yataghan-ish as Chassepot bayonets.
The last one here, with gold and blueing on the blade is essentially Russian military shashka with a recurved blade. It is showy and gaudy. You just look at it and there is a feeling that .. not quite...something off. Similar to the regulation Austrian ones. There is no "smell of the Orient"
Italian Labruna ones from Naples were closer to the original, but also not the same.

It's like Mameluke regulation sabers and Persian Shamshirs, or Chinese interpretations of European sabers, or Balkan-made variants of Caucasian kindjals , or Beduin "shashkas".

Perhaps, there is something to be said about spirits of ethnically- authentic masters:-)

ariel · 14th February 2016, 06:23 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by ariel
Is this one also Russian?

I would say at face value, and without referring to museum notes, the one above Ariel was made in the Balkan states as a diplomatic gift to Russian nobility...but detail on the scabbard seems to be a non Balkan hand?

I suspect the one in discussion originally is perhaps closer to Spain that Russia.

Gavin

-------------------------------------------

Are you referring to post #5?

There are snippets of legends, but the two readable ones refer to Abyssinian and Turkish origins. Perhaps, the desired legend was not included?

And the initial one in this topic does resemble the Labruna manufacture. Also... not quite:-)

estcrh · 14th February 2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Are you referring to post #5?

I think Gavin was referring to #12? I added the Russian description there anyway.

ariel · 14th February 2016, 01:32 PM

I was wondering what it was doing here: nothing Russian, typically authentic example.

estcrh · 14th February 2016, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I was wondering what it was doing here: nothing Russian, typically authentic example.

Do you know of another example like it, not the style but the design and quality of the metal work?

Rashka Vatnik · 14th February 2016, 04:18 PM

Not a Russian

ariel · 14th February 2016, 04:46 PM

I do not archive pics, so the answer is no, I do not.

It is a very classy work, but there are a lot of classy yataghans, many with European-influenced decoration ( chasing, mostly). General style, dolphin head, configuration of ears, sumptuous chasing, overall harmony and elegance... Ottoman :-)

estcrh · 14th February 2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashka Vatnik

Not a Russian

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Ottoman :-)

Can anyone translate the museums description from post #12?

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14th February 2016, 06:14 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	There was another Russian yataghan for sale at the last year (?)Auctions Imperial. Personally, I never liked them: they are as yataghan-ish as Chassepot bayonets. The last one here, with gold and blueing on the blade is essentially Russian military shashka with a recurved blade. It is showy and gaudy. You just look at it and there is a feeling that .. not quite...something off. Similar to the regulation Austrian ones. There is no "smell of the Orient" Italian Labruna ones from Naples were closer to the original, but also not the same. It's like Mameluke regulation sabers and Persian Shamshirs, or Chinese interpretations of European sabers, or Balkan-made variants of Caucasian kindjals , or Beduin "shashkas". Perhaps, there is something to be said about spirits of ethnically- authentic masters:-)

14th February 2016, 06:23 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Quote: Originally Posted by ariel Is this one also Russian? I would say at face value, and without referring to museum notes, the one above Ariel was made in the Balkan states as a diplomatic gift to Russian nobility...but detail on the scabbard seems to be a non Balkan hand? I suspect the one in discussion originally is perhaps closer to Spain that Russia. Gavin ------------------------------------------- Are you referring to post #5? There are snippets of legends, but the two readable ones refer to Abyssinian and Turkish origins. Perhaps, the desired legend was not included? And the initial one in this topic does resemble the Labruna manufacture. Also... not quite:-)

14th February 2016, 01:32 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I was wondering what it was doing here: nothing Russian, typically authentic example.

14th February 2016, 04:18 PM	#6
Rashka Vatnik Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 4	Not a Russian

14th February 2016, 04:46 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I do not archive pics, so the answer is no, I do not. It is a very classy work, but there are a lot of classy yataghans, many with European-influenced decoration ( chasing, mostly). General style, dolphin head, configuration of ears, sumptuous chasing, overall harmony and elegance... Ottoman :-)