Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 81:
A fine representation of one ofdistinct swords of the Ottoman Empire mostclosely associated with the sword makers ofDamascus, this sword does not have aspecific name but is iconically associatedwith the Persian trade blade that it is mountedwith. These trade blades are all distinguishedby several design elements, but which comein a variety of sizes and shapes. The firstelement is the chiseled design at the base ofthe blade with an inscription that often readsAssadullah which is either a reference to a17th century swordsmith or a mark of thebladesmith guild that made these blades(Pinchot 2002). These blades hearkenedback to earlier Safavid swords with morecomplex fullers and were invariably made ofgood quality wootz steel, such as thisexample.The mounts of this swords are of theDamascus armory type, and are anintermediate design between a classic Persianshamshir, Arabian peninsula saif, andOttoman pistol gripped shamshir swords. These swords areusually distinguished by the down turned pommel, a chain cross guard, and the use of silverdamascene decoration on the crossguard and the scabbard fittings. This sword retains its originalscabbard and baldric as well.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 38 1/4" Blade Length : 31 3/4" References:1. Elgood, R. (2009). The Arms of Greece. Thames and Hudson.2. Hales, R. (2013). A Lifetimeâ€â„¢s Passion: Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour3. Pinchot, O. (2002) On the Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah. Journal of Arms Collecting.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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