Translation Assistance with 18/19th century Ottoman Kilij

kwiatek · 17th April 2021, 10:58 PM

The upper inscription is the ubiquitous

لا فتا (فتى) الا علي لا سيف الا ذ[و] الفقار

“There is no hero but ‘Ali, no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar”

The lower, long inscription is Qur’an 48:1-4

In the 5-pointed star is ما شاء الله

“What God wills (ma sha’a allah)”

The inscription on the other side in the cartouche next to the grip is

يا مفتح الابواب افتح لنا خير الباب

“O Opener of Doors, open for us the best of doors.”

The larger silver assay mark looks like the tughra of ‘Abdulaziz (r. 1861-76). I’d have to look at it with a magnifying glass to be completely sure. The smaller one is the sahh assay mark.

RSWORD · 18th April 2021, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwiatek

The upper inscription is the ubiquitous

لا فتا (فتى) الا علي لا سيف الا ذ[و] الفقار

“There is no hero but ‘Ali, no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar”

The lower, long inscription is Qur’an 48:1-4

In the 5-pointed star is ما شاء الله

“What God wills (ma sha’a allah)”

The inscription on the other side in the cartouche next to the grip is

يا مفتح الابواب افتح لنا خير الباب

“O Opener of Doors, open for us the best of doors.”

The larger silver assay mark looks like the tughra of ‘Abdulaziz (r. 1861-76). I’d have to look at it with a magnifying glass to be completely sure. The smaller one is the sahh assay mark.

Thank you very much Kwiatek! I greatly appreciate the translation assistance. It adds tremendously to the beauty of the sword and gives insight into the original owner and the religious texts that were important to them.

kronckew · 18th April 2021, 04:26 AM

“There is ... no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar” ...

Or is it? It could be read "I am Dhu’l-Fiqar." ...

It is a beauty too. Feel free to loan it to me for a few decades. I'll even let you pay the Postage.

Ref:Zulfiqar

Ian · 18th April 2021, 02:32 PM

Kwiatek, thank you for the translation. With regard to the 6-pointed star, can you tell us what the symbolism means? I note an "o" adjacent to each point--does this have some special significance.

Thanks,

Ian.

kwiatek · 18th April 2021, 08:21 PM

Pleasure.

Yes, it is a six-pointed star of course, not five as I wrote. As far as I remember it is normally associated with the Seal of Suleyman (Solomon)

Battara · 18th April 2021, 09:44 PM

The six pointed star is usually the "Seal of Suliman" (Solomon) which is talismanic to ward off evil influences and demons.

Ian · 19th April 2021, 12:04 AM

Thank you kwiatek and Battara.

18th April 2021, 04:26 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	“There is ... no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar” ... Or is it? It could be read "I am Dhu’l-Fiqar." ... It is a beauty too. Feel free to loan it to me for a few decades. I'll even let you pay the Postage. Ref:Zulfiqar Last edited by Ian; 19th April 2021 at 12:09 AM. Reason: Bit over the top, mate ...

17th April 2021, 10:58 PM	#1
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 156	The upper inscription is the ubiquitous لا فتا (فتى) الا علي لا سيف الا ذ[و] الفقار “There is no hero but ‘Ali, no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar” The lower, long inscription is Qur’an 48:1-4 In the 5-pointed star is ما شاء الله “What God wills (ma sha’a allah)” The inscription on the other side in the cartouche next to the grip is يا مفتح الابواب افتح لنا خير الباب “O Opener of Doors, open for us the best of doors.” The larger silver assay mark looks like the tughra of ‘Abdulaziz (r. 1861-76). I’d have to look at it with a magnifying glass to be completely sure. The smaller one is the sahh assay mark.

18th April 2021, 02:32 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Kwiatek, thank you for the translation. With regard to the 6-pointed star, can you tell us what the symbolism means? I note an "o" adjacent to each point--does this have some special significance. Thanks, Ian.

18th April 2021, 08:21 PM	#5
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 156	Pleasure. Yes, it is a six-pointed star of course, not five as I wrote. As far as I remember it is normally associated with the Seal of Suleyman (Solomon)

18th April 2021, 09:44 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	The six pointed star is usually the "Seal of Suliman" (Solomon) which is talismanic to ward off evil influences and demons.

19th April 2021, 12:04 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Thank you kwiatek and Battara.