Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 84:
A fine representation of one of the most well-known forms of Islamic and Ottoman arms, this coral and turquoise-encrusted sword is called, in Western collectors circles, a kilij, though the term translates in Turkish to denote sword. Now kilij is commonly used to refer to a sword with a deeply curved saber blade with a widened false edge, called a yelman.This example, a member of a well-known group of kilij encrusted with coral and turquoise are considered to be in the Trebizond or Trabzon style (Elgood 2009). Trebizond is a region of Turkey along the Black Sea coast. Interestingly, these swords are found to be worn by warriors from the Trebizond region, indicating that these were swords produced for primarily a local audience as opposed to the myriad types of swords and other arms produced for the curio trade, primarily in other parts of the Ottoman Empire, such as Syria. Elgood (2009) treats the topic of Turkish coral encrusted arms extensively and concludes that Trebizond is the most likely origin for these types of arms. Some date as early as the late 18th century while this form of coral-encrustedkilij are 19th century. He furthers note that the coral would have been most likely traded to the region from Livorno or Greece.Documentary images of Sultan Abdulaziz’s, 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Armenian bodyguard, Nicham, show him wearing a near identical kilij, encrusted in turquoise and coral(Putnam 1894). The stones adorning the hilt and scabbard of the sword have talismanic significance in Islamic societies. Al-Biruni (1989) writes in his 11th century treatise titled Kitabal-jamahir fi ma ‘rifat al-jawahir, or the Book on Multitudes (of information) on the Jewels, that turquoise, which he terms sabaj, dispels the evil eye if it is directed at the carrier of the stone.This is ascribed to the stones softness as it likely to break with the softest of shocks. Al-Biruni further notes that coral, or bussad, is found in the sea around Syria and Rome, where it joins Ifranjiyah (land of the Franks), referring to the Mediterranean sea between Syria and France.This likely refers to the species of coral called corallium rubrum, or (precious coral), which comprises the coral inlays on this sword. According to Al-Biruni, coral was supposed to prevent misfortune.Examples of these swords are found in institutional collections but always of differing levels of quality and condition. The Metropolitan Museum features two examples of similar composition and form (Acc. Nr. 32.75.300a, b; 17.190.2101a, b) in addition to another in the Stibbert Collection (Acc. Nr.6167 published in Civita 2014 and dated to 1725-1775). Other examples can be found in private collections (Hales 2013). This example is of fine quality retaining much ofthe encrusted coral and turquoise with the corals delicately carved with ribbing running in a lengthwise manner. The decoration forms a unified design around radially concentric circles with turquoise and coral. The blade of classic kilij form with gold inscriptions and displaying the longstanding Mamluk influences in Ottoman Turkish arms likely dating to the mid 19th century.This blade appears to be made of Wootz, which is uncommon for these kinds of swords, and also has a gold inlaid inscription at the forte of the blade, in addition to the additional gold koftgari decoration along the forte and the inscriptions in the fuller. A very good and rare example overall, comes with its original cord and tassels for wear.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 36" Blade Length : 27 1/2" Comparable auction sales:2012, Christie’s; Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, April 26, lot 275.2012, Christie’s; Islamic & Indian Works of Art & Textiles, April 27, lot 852.2015, Bonhams; Eastern Arms & Armour from the Richard R. Wagner Jr Collection, April29, lot 173.2017, Christie’s; Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, April 27, lot 13.2017, Christie’s; Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, October 26, lot 197.2019, Sotheby’s; Arts of the Islamic world Including Fine Rugs and Carpets, May 1, lot 199.2019, Christie’s; Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, May2, lot 173.References:1. Al-Biruni (1989). KitÄÂb al-jamÄÂhir fÄ« maÊ»rifat al-jawÄÂhir (The book Most Comprehensivein Knowledge on Precious Stones) Farlang: Islamabad.2. Civita, F. (2014). Islam: armi e armature dalla collezione di Frederick Stibbert. Centrodi della Edifimi. Firenze3. Elgood, R. (2009). The Arms of Greece. Thames and Hudson.4. Hales, R. (2013). A Lifetimeâ€â„¢s Passion: Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour, nos. 507and 5085. Putnam, F. W. (1894). Oriental and occidental, northern and southern portrait types ofthe Midway Plaisance : a collection of photographs of individual types of various nationsfrom all parts of the world who represented, in the Department of Ethnology, themanners, customs, dress, religions, music and other distinctive traits and peculiarities oftheir race : with interesting and instructive descriptions accompanying each portrait, together with an introduction. St. Louis : N.D. Thompson.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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