Is this a Persian Kard?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by MichaelZWilliamson

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to get a translation of the script.

Can you also please post better photos of the hilt, including one close-up of the tip of the hilt?

I am asking because it would be possible the hilt to be of onyx, which is widely found in Anatolia.

[kwiatek]

Also, if you post close-ups of the inscriptions I may be able to help. At the moment it's too low resolution for me to read

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Here's some pics of the hilt. I'll try to zoom in more on the inscription.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Here's a link to higher resolution of the script. I can't upload sufficient resolution with the site's limits.

https://www.sharppointythings.com/pi...11aa618-la.jpg

[kwiatek]

This is in Persian, but the calligraphy looks more typical of Ottoman metalwork:

بکش خنجر که جان بهر تو [ا]ی نامهربان دارم

'Draw the dagger, since my life is at your disposal, O unkind one!'

The imagery is typical of the Ottoman and Persian poetic traditions, where the poet emphasises his devotion to a cruel beloved, even asking to be killed in order to demonstrate his devotion.

[kwiatek]

I should add, I found it online as a verse attributed to the poet Lotfi Shirazi, who was active in the reign of Shah 'Abbas

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Thank you very much, kwiatek. That's an interesting piece of information about it.