Persian made blade...but where did it see service??

TVV · 10th June 2008, 11:23 PM

I still think one of the more interesting questions about this piece concerns the inlaid brass decoration on the hilt. Such circular motives, with most likely solar symbolical meaning, are typical of the Balkans. Are there examples of similar work in other areas of the Ottoman Empire, such as Syria?
Regards,
Teodor

CharlesS · 11th June 2008, 01:17 AM

TVV, that was curious to me as well....those roundels are so Ottoman. I just think the Farsi inscriptions and interesting hilt speak to who may have used it, but I am not sure we may ever figure it out. I have seen many yats whose koftgari evokes Ali and Huseyn, surprising me a bit with such Shia inscriptions.

It may, as noted above, just be an interesting trade combination.

RSWORD · 11th June 2008, 02:06 AM

I would look to Central Asia as a possible export region. The preference for straight blades was strong there as was the Persian hilt styles. On the hilt decoration I would look to firearms for comparables as you often find this sort of decoration on firearms, more rarely on Yat and saber/shamshir hilts.

Jim McDougall · 11th June 2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

I would look to Central Asia as a possible export region. The preference for straight blades was strong there as was the Persian hilt styles. On the hilt decoration I would look to firearms for comparables as you often find this sort of decoration on firearms, more rarely on Yat and saber/shamshir hilts.

I agree Rick, in revisiting the Pinchot article, one of the shamshirs with similar crossguard is stated of Bukharen form, and resembled this one, despite the rest of the hilt of Persian style. Bukhara of course was predominantly influenced by Persia. I am still thinking this is likely Arabian Bedouin of mid to latter 19th c.

TVV · 23rd June 2008, 11:06 PM

Here is an interesting hilt. The qama on the picture is currently in Bulgaria, but I have been told that it was initially acquired in Istanbul recently. I think it safe to characterize the qama as Turkish.
If Chalres's sword was indeed exported initially to Southern Arabia, what are the chances it made it to Northern Arabia? To me it seems that the hilt inserts are Turkish or Turkish influenced.
Regards,
Teodor

23rd June 2008, 11:06 PM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	Here is an interesting hilt. The qama on the picture is currently in Bulgaria, but I have been told that it was initially acquired in Istanbul recently. I think it safe to characterize the qama as Turkish. If Chalres's sword was indeed exported initially to Southern Arabia, what are the chances it made it to Northern Arabia? To me it seems that the hilt inserts are Turkish or Turkish influenced. Regards, Teodor Attached Images

10th June 2008, 11:23 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	I still think one of the more interesting questions about this piece concerns the inlaid brass decoration on the hilt. Such circular motives, with most likely solar symbolical meaning, are typical of the Balkans. Are there examples of similar work in other areas of the Ottoman Empire, such as Syria? Regards, Teodor

11th June 2008, 01:17 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	TVV, that was curious to me as well....those roundels are so Ottoman. I just think the Farsi inscriptions and interesting hilt speak to who may have used it, but I am not sure we may ever figure it out. I have seen many yats whose koftgari evokes Ali and Huseyn, surprising me a bit with such Shia inscriptions. It may, as noted above, just be an interesting trade combination.

11th June 2008, 02:06 AM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	I would look to Central Asia as a possible export region. The preference for straight blades was strong there as was the Persian hilt styles. On the hilt decoration I would look to firearms for comparables as you often find this sort of decoration on firearms, more rarely on Yat and saber/shamshir hilts.