AUCTIONS IMPERIAL 2025 MAY
Lot 208:
Description
A rare Ottoman parade saber mounted in solid silver, extensively chiseled, nielloed and gilded. The hilt with characteristic symmetrical guard, the grip wrought in one piece, terminating in a fully-modeled dragon head pommel with turquoise-inlaid eyes and a large turquoise gripped in its teeth (an Ottoman motif borrowed from the Chinese in the 16th century, representing a benevolent dragon which has caught the celestial pearl, sign of wisdom and immortality) the turquoise inscribed ASSAD ALLAH. Long, broad, shallowly-curved blade with yelman, well-wrought of Ottoman wootz, and elaborately inlaid throughout in gold with inscriptions from Qur’an and Ottoman blessings: O ALLAH, THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE! O ALLAH, ALL-KNOWING, MOST GREAT! YOU OWN THE UNIVERSE, YOU ARE THE JUDGE! YOU ARE IN (OUR) HEARTS! FOR THE SAKE OF THE MARTYED AT KARBALA! FOR THE SAKE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD! And in a cartouche at the forte, WE ENDURE THESE HARDSHIPS ONLY FOR ALLAH! 17th-18th century. Quite minor rubbing to gilding, pommel slightly open along the seam, minor crack to leather at lower end of scabbard, minor areas of pitting to blade, very minor rubbing to gold inscriptions. Very few such sabers are known in museum collections in Istanbul and Karlsruhe. Overall length 95.5cm.
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