Gold & Pearls
Full Description:
A gold and pearl mounted ‘Saif’ sword from the Arabian Peninsula, probably Bahrain or Oman.
A single edged blade probably of Indian origin and a hilt of Arabian form with the pommel at a ninety degree angle to the grip. The hilt entirely clad with gold, with repousse, chased and filigree decoration.
The wooden scabbard ensuite with gold cladding decorated in repousse with floral and geometric patterns. A band of stylised calligraphy. The locket has the traditional ‘agrab’ or scorpion motif, and the bottom chape lozenge shaped decoration. Complete with the original gold and red coloured baldric (haback).
The scabbard is set with twenty polished white pearls, Elgood (1994) p.84 quotes HH Sultan Ghalib Al Qu’aiti; that the shaikhs of Bahrain and the Sultan of Oman occasionally used pearls to decorate arms.