Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 300:
A superb Ottoman shamshir of the 18th to 19th centuries, this example displays the fine quality and trans-regional workmanship common to Middle Eastern weapons of the period. The shamshir is the most classically recognized swords of the Ottoman Empire and surrounding near Eastern and Indian regions. The sword is distinguished by curved single edged blades many of which have varying blade profiles depending on the regional attribution. Generally, blades from the Turkish regions of the Ottoman empire would have blades with fullers and yelman, while blades from Persia would have simple, though no less refined, profiles with a single edge and a triangular or wedge shaped cross-sections. The blades of classic Persian shamshirs would generally not have fullers though some Safavid and Safavid revival period blades would have complex fullering. This shamshir features a blade of black Kara Khorasan wootz and overlaid with koftgari decoration, likely a sura from the Quran and another more decorative cartouche where usually there would be a maker’s inlaid inscription. The hilt made in the style of Damascus under the period of Ottoman control, while the blade either of Persian or Turkish origin, though on closer examination the style of wootz can provide a closer regional approximation.———————————— ——————————Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 37 3/4". Blade Length : 32 1 /4".—————————————— ———————— References: 1. Elgood, R. (2009). The Arms of Greece. Thames and Hudson. 2. Hales, R. (2013). A Lifetimes Passion: Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour. 3. Pinchot, O. (2002) On the Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah. Journal of Arms Collecting. 4. Egerton, Lord of Tatton, (1896). A Description of Indian and Oriental Armour. London, W. H. Allen & Co. 5. Ferrel, J. (1998),  The Dr. Leo S. Figiel Collection of Mogul Arms. (San Francisco: Butterfield & Butterfield.6. Figel, L.S.,  (1991) On Damascus Steel. Atlantis, Florida: Atlantis Arts Press 7. Rivkin, K., Isaac, B. (2018) A Study of the Eastern Sword. Independent Publisher.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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