Unusual Arab Islamic African sword with inscription

RSWORD · 10th December 2010, 12:31 PM

Yes, those leather strings with the ball finials that are attached to the shoulder harness are what I am referring to. I agree it is an unusual and rare example as I also have not run across a similar example. I am surprised nobody has joined our discussion as usually mysterious or unusual pieces spark some theories. Please, does anyone have any comments on this one?

Iain · 10th December 2010, 04:00 PM

While I haven't seen the ball finials before (thanks for pointing them out!) leather cords on kaskaras I've seen before integrated into the shoulder strap (I actually just sold one a week or so ago on the swap forum). Not sure of the reason for them of if they denote a region?

I'm also a bit surprised there's not more interest here. Folks we have a sword with a very good potential to have been owned by an important historical figure, that's about as good as it gets. So heck I'll throw a theory out there. There's something here that strikes me as resembling a kinjal. Ali Dinar was allied with the Ottomans and nominally under their rule. Perhaps the sword was made in a supposed Turkish style because of this?

CharlesS · 10th December 2010, 04:09 PM

This piece is fascinating for so many different reasons...where to start???....obviously the name attribution makes it far more "personal" than we collectors typically see.

The sword's features seemingly are influences not only from the Sudan, but embody the very nature of even the very earliest Islamic swords(notably the hilt).

I think this is one of the most fascinating pieces to show up on the forum in some time.

Good get Rick!

Congrats!!

10th December 2010, 12:31 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Yes, those leather strings with the ball finials that are attached to the shoulder harness are what I am referring to. I agree it is an unusual and rare example as I also have not run across a similar example. I am surprised nobody has joined our discussion as usually mysterious or unusual pieces spark some theories. Please, does anyone have any comments on this one?

10th December 2010, 04:00 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	While I haven't seen the ball finials before (thanks for pointing them out!) leather cords on kaskaras I've seen before integrated into the shoulder strap (I actually just sold one a week or so ago on the swap forum). Not sure of the reason for them of if they denote a region? I'm also a bit surprised there's not more interest here. Folks we have a sword with a very good potential to have been owned by an important historical figure, that's about as good as it gets. So heck I'll throw a theory out there. There's something here that strikes me as resembling a kinjal. Ali Dinar was allied with the Ottomans and nominally under their rule. Perhaps the sword was made in a supposed Turkish style because of this?

10th December 2010, 04:09 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	This piece is fascinating for so many different reasons...where to start???....obviously the name attribution makes it far more "personal" than we collectors typically see. The sword's features seemingly are influences not only from the Sudan, but embody the very nature of even the very earliest Islamic swords(notably the hilt). I think this is one of the most fascinating pieces to show up on the forum in some time. Good get Rick! Congrats!!