Trebizond arms with huge amount of corals?

Jim McDougall · 14th December 2005, 01:05 AM

Wow!!!

Incredible photos Brian!
I have always been fascinated by coral, and to see such profuse application as on these weapons is amazing.
Mark, I think the teardrop shape may pertain to the ancient Greek mythology that claims coral represents the drops of blood from the slain gorgon Medusa. Apparantly coral was esteemed in the East, and especially in India, where it held mysterious and sacred properties including of course protection from the evil eye. It is noted by Pliny that the Gauls used it in decorating weapons and helmets as well, and considerable trade was carried out in the Meditteranean with coral, much of it found along the North African coast.
The amuletic value seems to derive considerably from the blood color and that it is virtually a living mineral derived from the sea.

All best regards,
Jim

wolviex · 14th December 2005, 08:33 AM

Thank you all. There is no doubt these are mostly parade weapons, especially the sabres, which are quite uncomfortabale, with thick and full of corals handles. Firearms seems to be more practical, thought beauty of these weapons (however very Turkish in style and splendour) are indicating their court significance. I found that many of pistols on pictures from Brian are a little in different style then sabres, knives or long firearms - with bigger, plain and different in shape corals. We can see they're described as Algerian. Brian - what is the description of sabres which are similiar to mine? Turkish or Algerian too?

I didn't say they are rare, I was just wondering about their "rarity or non-rarity"

. I believe, if in Poland we have few outstanding objects like these, then in Turkish museums you can probably find many and many of them. However, looking in google on the net I couldn't find many of them, maybe they have some individual names?

I found also that my sabre is a little unusual comparing to the other posted here. Among the corals you can find plain green and blue stones with engraved inscriptions (repeating Allah and Mohamed). Other sabres are without such feature.

All the best
Michal

wolviex · 15th December 2005, 07:41 AM

I wanted just to remind old discussion about Erilikhan's dagger:

Link

There is even Azerbaijan mentioned as a place of origin! I'm still wondering what we really know about the manufacture(s) which made these weapons.

Regards!

14th December 2005, 01:05 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Wow!!! Incredible photos Brian! I have always been fascinated by coral, and to see such profuse application as on these weapons is amazing. Mark, I think the teardrop shape may pertain to the ancient Greek mythology that claims coral represents the drops of blood from the slain gorgon Medusa. Apparantly coral was esteemed in the East, and especially in India, where it held mysterious and sacred properties including of course protection from the evil eye. It is noted by Pliny that the Gauls used it in decorating weapons and helmets as well, and considerable trade was carried out in the Meditteranean with coral, much of it found along the North African coast. The amuletic value seems to derive considerably from the blood color and that it is virtually a living mineral derived from the sea. All best regards, Jim

14th December 2005, 08:33 AM	#2
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Thank you all. There is no doubt these are mostly parade weapons, especially the sabres, which are quite uncomfortabale, with thick and full of corals handles. Firearms seems to be more practical, thought beauty of these weapons (however very Turkish in style and splendour) are indicating their court significance. I found that many of pistols on pictures from Brian are a little in different style then sabres, knives or long firearms - with bigger, plain and different in shape corals. We can see they're described as Algerian. Brian - what is the description of sabres which are similiar to mine? Turkish or Algerian too? I didn't say they are rare, I was just wondering about their "rarity or non-rarity" . I believe, if in Poland we have few outstanding objects like these, then in Turkish museums you can probably find many and many of them. However, looking in google on the net I couldn't find many of them, maybe they have some individual names? I found also that my sabre is a little unusual comparing to the other posted here. Among the corals you can find plain green and blue stones with engraved inscriptions (repeating Allah and Mohamed). Other sabres are without such feature. All the best Michal

15th December 2005, 07:41 AM	#3
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	I wanted just to remind old discussion about Erilikhan's dagger: Link There is even Azerbaijan mentioned as a place of origin! I'm still wondering what we really know about the manufacture(s) which made these weapons. Regards!