Benaki Museum, Athens

Sylektis · 7th December 2013, 06:27 AM

Greeks, for 4 centuries were under the Ottoman rule. They often started revolutions that failed. (1457-1479-1492-1503-1525-1565-1571 e.t.c). It was forbidden to hold or manufacture arms. I believe that the Greek contribution was the decoration of weapons and especially after the first battles of 1821 were many blades, barrels and other parts changed hands. Moreover the Silversmiths from Giannina, Kalarites, Syrrako, Stemnitsa and other Greek villages were famous. (The Bulgari family comes from Kalarites). In the photos above you can see some examples. The Foto Tzavella’s yataghan with number 13 is in Elgood’s book in photo 166. The blade is Ottoman but the scabbard Greek. The knife with number 16 has Greek inscription. Yes I know, you can say that these are not for war but for beauty contest, anyway Greeks always loved richly decorated weapons.

7th December 2013, 06:27 AM	#8
Sylektis Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 138	Greeks, for 4 centuries were under the Ottoman rule. They often started revolutions that failed. (1457-1479-1492-1503-1525-1565-1571 e.t.c). It was forbidden to hold or manufacture arms. I believe that the Greek contribution was the decoration of weapons and especially after the first battles of 1821 were many blades, barrels and other parts changed hands. Moreover the Silversmiths from Giannina, Kalarites, Syrrako, Stemnitsa and other Greek villages were famous. (The Bulgari family comes from Kalarites). In the photos above you can see some examples. The Foto Tzavella’s yataghan with number 13 is in Elgood’s book in photo 166. The blade is Ottoman but the scabbard Greek. The knife with number 16 has Greek inscription. Yes I know, you can say that these are not for war but for beauty contest, anyway Greeks always loved richly decorated weapons. Attached Images