An Ottoman Yataghan That Landed Far Away From Home

TVV · 7th May 2019, 04:54 PM

I am not familiar with the mounts - the decorative motives are Ottoman, but a wooden scabbard with no leather, multiple bands holding the scabbard together and no dragon at the chape is a bit unusual, so it is possible that it was mounted in SE Asia. The blade looks like an older blade (18th century) most probably from Asia Minor and the writing looks like the seven sleepers formula. There is a very high probability that the blade has a few rows of Turkish ribbon - have you tried etching it?

Teodor

CharlesS · 7th May 2019, 06:54 PM

Teodor,

The blade has been etched. There was a distinct temper line, but no Turkish ribbon.

Gustav · 7th May 2019, 08:19 PM

Well, here is one, which is indeed mounted somewhere in Indonesia:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...han+indonesian

I have seen at least one other, which quite clearly was mounted in Sumatra.

Never have encountered such quite typical "Turkish Rococo" ornaments in Indonesia. It also doesn't look like Dutch colonial Rococo.

Kubur · 7th May 2019, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Never have encountered such quite typical "Turkish Rococo" ornaments in Indonesia. It also doesn't look like Dutch colonial Rococo.

Correct but they were doing Turkish rococo in Algiers too.
The scabbard is more flissa-ish

Sometimes it's difficult to get some responses different from your own narrative but it's the whole idea of this forum...

Oliver Pinchot · 8th May 2019, 05:16 PM

Charles is right, it's an Ottoman sword which was remounted somewhere in SEA. The Ottoman parts comprise the blade, bolsters, tangband, locket and chape. The grips, scabbard and remaining bands are local work.
Examine the engraving on the bands: they are similar to, but distinct from, the original Ottoman parts.

The sword was most likely acquired as a complete yataghan, or one with at least a single ear intact-- otherwise, the grips wouldn't flare as they do. As these hybrids go, the aesthetic is pleasing.

CharlesS · 8th May 2019, 07:17 PM

The blade reversed for easier Arabic script translation.

Zifir · 17th May 2019, 09:03 AM

As Teodor pointed out, these are the names of seven sleepers and their dog:

"Yemliha, Mekselina, Mislina, Mernuş, Debernuş, Şazenuş, Kefeştatayuş, and Kıtmir."

They inscribed them on yatağans, believing to have talismanic powers, protecting owners from harm.

There is a chapter (Surat al-Kahf) in the Qur'an, on the miracle of seven sleepers and their dog: seven Christian men and their dog escaping from the persecution of the Romans, seeking shelter in a cave and sleeping several hundred years and waking up. References to strength of faith, divine protection of the believers, life after death and resurrection.

8th May 2019, 07:17 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The blade reversed for easier Arabic script translation. Attached Images

7th May 2019, 04:54 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	I am not familiar with the mounts - the decorative motives are Ottoman, but a wooden scabbard with no leather, multiple bands holding the scabbard together and no dragon at the chape is a bit unusual, so it is possible that it was mounted in SE Asia. The blade looks like an older blade (18th century) most probably from Asia Minor and the writing looks like the seven sleepers formula. There is a very high probability that the blade has a few rows of Turkish ribbon - have you tried etching it? Teodor

7th May 2019, 06:54 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Teodor, The blade has been etched. There was a distinct temper line, but no Turkish ribbon.

7th May 2019, 08:19 PM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	Well, here is one, which is indeed mounted somewhere in Indonesia: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...han+indonesian I have seen at least one other, which quite clearly was mounted in Sumatra. Never have encountered such quite typical "Turkish Rococo" ornaments in Indonesia. It also doesn't look like Dutch colonial Rococo.

8th May 2019, 05:16 PM	#5
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	Charles is right, it's an Ottoman sword which was remounted somewhere in SEA. The Ottoman parts comprise the blade, bolsters, tangband, locket and chape. The grips, scabbard and remaining bands are local work. Examine the engraving on the bands: they are similar to, but distinct from, the original Ottoman parts. The sword was most likely acquired as a complete yataghan, or one with at least a single ear intact-- otherwise, the grips wouldn't flare as they do. As these hybrids go, the aesthetic is pleasing.

17th May 2019, 09:03 AM	#7
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	As Teodor pointed out, these are the names of seven sleepers and their dog: "Yemliha, Mekselina, Mislina, Mernuş, Debernuş, Şazenuş, Kefeştatayuş, and Kıtmir." They inscribed them on yatağans, believing to have talismanic powers, protecting owners from harm. There is a chapter (Surat al-Kahf) in the Qur'an, on the miracle of seven sleepers and their dog: seven Christian men and their dog escaping from the persecution of the Romans, seeking shelter in a cave and sleeping several hundred years and waking up. References to strength of faith, divine protection of the believers, life after death and resurrection.