Restored Balkan Yataghan That Needs Translation

[Multumesc]

beautiful restoration.

[Kubur]

I agree
Please tell us how you worked the silver and where you find the spare pieces!
Thanks

[TVV]

Jose, not only is your execution flawless, but you have obviously also spent a significant amount of time and effort studying other examples, as your work is true to originals in character. I admit that if you had just shown us the completed scabbard, I would have only guessed that the velvet is replacement, but would not have been able to tell about the silver parts.

[Bob A]

Truly remarkable, meticulous and authentic piece of work. One could say that the learning experience was its own reward, but obviously the real reward is the yataghan, restored to former glory. Well done!

[Philip]

Bravo, Bovinias!

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Kubur

I agree
Please tell us how you worked the silver and where you find the spare pieces!
Thanks

Well, the top part of the silver work I used patterned wire, wire I triple twisted myself, and used sheet silver underneath.

Regarding the bottom of the filigree section, well, I used sheet silver and soldered pattern wire on top. When it comes to the silver pieces, I had to make those from scratch. Let me explain. I had to make different sizes of individual little silver balls. Then I had to make twisted silver wire rings of different sizes. The diamond shaped silver pieces I cut from silver sheet. Taking square wire and twisted wire I made and soldered the "petals" of the large flowers and then the balls and wire rings on top. I also soldered the rings onto the sheet then placed the other components on top. In honesty, I did use some balled beads and some pre-twisted wire rings in some parts, but the majority I had to make by hand.

The big catch to this work, besides patience and time to make every single component (with a couple of exceptions), is making sure that the components are completely soldered without melting the pieces, or melting holes into the sheet beneath. So the right heat and type of flame applied is crucial. And finally the type of solder is important too.

TVV - you are right. I did a lot of research not only in style of Balkan (Focha Bosnia to be specific) but also in comparing Russian, Yemeni, and Mexican filigree work. Yemeni was the closest, but no one is demonstrating, instructing, or showing how to do Turkish (or traditional Bosnian) filigree work. So I had to also create my own techniques.

Bob A - you are right in that I also took this as an opportunity to learn to make filigree, something I had no idea how to do originally.

I always want to increase and improve my skills. Now I may add filigree jewelry to my sales. Nice since I also taught myself chasing, repousse, soldering, wood carving, and metal inlaying into steel.

Thank you folks!

Is there anyone who can translate the inlay inscription?

[Ian]

Jose,

Your silver-working skills are just getting better. I would like to ask you about a feature that you did not have to replicate but is interesting to me technically. Attached is a copy of one of your pics that shows (*) two strips of what appear to be made of plaited silver wires/thin silver strips. Have you done anything like this yourself?

Also, on the inlaid sections of the blade, I can see small "knicks" in the base metal which seem to hold the inlaid metal in place. Were these features present in the original blade, or are these part of your inlay technique? I don't recall seeing them on Ottoman pieces before.

Regards,

Ian
.

[asomotif]

May I back up all the wow's and oh's and other compliments.

What a job. Good to read that it took you a very long time, otherwise I would turn green with envy

Wonderfull piece btw.

I am especially intrigued by the inlay restoration.
Where did you find tips/instructions to do this ?
I have tried this with pure gold on an old spear head approx a year ago and it was a dissaster.
a few milimeters would hold, and if I progressed, the piece at the start would curl up again.

Maybe I should indeed retry it with brass.

Anyway. congrats. cool looking piece. Happy to see this in these sort of boring lock down times.

Best regards,
Willem

[kwiatek]

To the right of the tughra

عمل صالح

“Work of Salih”

The tughra itself is an owner’s inscription, probably

صاحب حسین

“The owner, Husayn”

There is an extra letter in there, so it might possibly also be

صاحب حسن [ابن] حسین

“The owner, Hasan [son of] Husayn”

To the left of the tughra, a Turkish phrase very common on yataghans

بجاق الده گرک دلده سبحان

“The knife should be in one’s hand, praise of God in one’s heart”

The word for knife here is bıcak

[mariusgmioc]

Thank you Kwiatek again!