AUCTIONS IMPERIAL ARMS & ARMOR NOVEMBER 2023
Lot 219:
Description
A massive example of high quality, the Syrian hilt with horn grips retains its wire wrap, with hooked, faceted steel pommel, guard wrought of faintly visible wootz. The exceptionally long, broad, single-edged, curved blade dating to the latter Safavid or Zand dynasty, with well-wrought narrow fullers at the spine on each side and expanded back edge, forged of brilliant Persian black wootz, and chiseled at the right forte with three finely-chiseled polygonal cartouches, the uppermost inscribed, O JUDGE OF NEEDS!, the centermost containing a lion with the sun rising over its shoulder, with the third reading, WORK OF ASSAD ALLAH and containing the numerals 13, referring to the13th Sura (Al-Ra’d, the Sura of Thunder) in the Qur’an, with traces of gold inlaid border remaining. In its leather-covered wooden scabbard with steel suspension bands and chape. Blade early 18th century, mounts 19th century. Scabbard leather well worn, isolated areas of pitting to blade. Overall length 102.5cm/ 40.35”. Condition III
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