Inventory

Shamshir - Blade, cross-guard, suspension rings

Full Description:

Scabbard

Central Asia (Bukhara) or Crimea

Early 19th Century

This remarkably complete sword with belt has a heavy blade of wootz (watered) steel, that is curved, single-edged and without fuller. On the blade, in true gold inlay, are two cartouches of oval and droplet-like shapes and a further panel of calligraphy:

خان با جله بهادر بدور

Khan with the glory of the valiant

 ساحاخان،

Saha Khan, possessor of greatness, brave Budur

In the elongated panel is part of verse 13 of Surah 61 ("As-Saff") of the Quran:

نصر من هللا وفتح قريب

Help from Allah and imminent victory

On the other side of the blade, an octagonal cartouche is etched into the blade, on which a part of the inscription can be read:

 عمل اسماعيل

Made by Ismail

The hilt is fitted with a cross guard of wootz steel and is decorated in gold overlay with a scrolling and repeating border that has a central floral motif. The grip scales are in two parts on each side in beautifully veined walrus ivory, secured by three pins. The pommel is in the form of a small iron cap decorated in a similar way to the cross guard.

The wooden scabbard is clad with silver and decorated with niello, gold and turquoise. The mouth and upper section is framed with turquoise stones, and at the centre sits a large, gilded, six-petalled flower head, rendered in a naturalistic shape, with bifurcated leaves extending in gold on both sides. The integral chape, which is separated from the main body of the scabbard with a row of turquoise, has four similar gilt-flowers ascending in size from the tip, all attached to the same leafy vine.

The main body of the scabbard is chased with large six-pointed star-shaped flower heads on a ground of densely scrolling foliage. The flower heads are clearly influenced by those on the top locket and chape, but executed in a more restrained manner.

Two gilt oval shaped mounts sit on the face of the scabbard and are securing points for the suspension rings, to which is attached the matching belt. It is made from rawhide and is adorned with numerous silver plaques decorated to match the scabbard. Two hemispherical plaques with niello and gilded floral motifs distribute the belts straps. The plaques and the large buckle, consisting of two elements, are decorated with cabochons and turquoise along the edge.

In a pleasing balance of decoration and functionality, this sword is a joy to behold, and a rare survivor, but the complex and slightly unusual blend of motifs and decorative styles, make it a challenge to confidently attribute. Rivkin and Issac comment on this,¹ observing that the style of gilding and the hexagram-like flowers belong to the Ottoman world. They also say the use of turquoise belongs to Central Asia (Bukhara) and Georgia, the signature on the blade and the use of niello to the Caucasus, and of course, without debate the blade to Persia. They conclude that the Crimea or Bukhara are the strongest candidates for this blend of styles.

My thanks to Serge A.Frantsouzoff for translating the blade inscriptions.

Published: 

A Study of the Eastern Sword, Rivkin and Isaac, 2017, pp.182-183, fig.no.98.b.

Provenance

Private European collection

2015 Private English collection

References