Help With an Arabic Inscription on an Afghan Poulowar

CharlesS · 11th February 2008, 09:01 PM

I am hoping that a forumite can help me with the translation of the inscription on this rather unusual poulowar. There is an inscription along the blade, and one in a small cartouche near the hilt.

Thanks for any help.

ariel · 12th February 2008, 12:32 AM

Beautiful one!
The widening blade reminds me of Arabian ( in the Elgood's sense) Nimchas.

CharlesS · 12th February 2008, 01:03 AM

It's great to handle, very comfortable.

The blade is what first drew me to it, but the inscriptions strike as a little odd. It seems the Arabic is surrounded by European style foliage designs and decoration.

RSWORD · 12th February 2008, 01:47 AM

Charles,

I suspect the blade is European and the text(as far as how it is etched into the blade) and the decoration are good indicators. It reminds me some of the quality of work sometimes found on Ethiopian blades and if you sucessfully export to N Africa, why not other parts of the world. Question is, was it made for a European living/working in NW India/Afghanistan or an imported blade mounted up for strictly local use. I believe this might classify as one of those cross cultural pieces you are so fond of.

CharlesS · 12th February 2008, 12:28 PM

I think you may very well be right about the origin of the blade, Rsword. Having seen many Ethiopian swords of European manufacture, this is certainly similar in terms of the style of the blade decor.

11th February 2008, 09:01 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Help With an Arabic Inscription on an Afghan Poulowar I am hoping that a forumite can help me with the translation of the inscription on this rather unusual poulowar. There is an inscription along the blade, and one in a small cartouche near the hilt. Thanks for any help. Attached Images

12th February 2008, 12:32 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Beautiful one! The widening blade reminds me of Arabian ( in the Elgood's sense) Nimchas.

12th February 2008, 01:03 AM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	It's great to handle, very comfortable. The blade is what first drew me to it, but the inscriptions strike as a little odd. It seems the Arabic is surrounded by European style foliage designs and decoration.

12th February 2008, 01:47 AM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Charles, I suspect the blade is European and the text(as far as how it is etched into the blade) and the decoration are good indicators. It reminds me some of the quality of work sometimes found on Ethiopian blades and if you sucessfully export to N Africa, why not other parts of the world. Question is, was it made for a European living/working in NW India/Afghanistan or an imported blade mounted up for strictly local use. I believe this might classify as one of those cross cultural pieces you are so fond of.

12th February 2008, 12:28 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	I think you may very well be right about the origin of the blade, Rsword. Having seen many Ethiopian swords of European manufacture, this is certainly similar in terms of the style of the blade decor.