A SILVER MOUNTED ARAB SWORD (NIMCHA)

PROBABLY ARABIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

A SILVER MOUNTED ARAB SWORD (NIMCHA)
PROBABLY ARABIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
The 19th century broad European blade cut with three fullers on either side at the forte, also with makers' stamp, the silver hilt with octagonal grip and shaped pommel each chased with chevron design, the latter set on each side with three applied silver filigree flowerheads, acutely down-curved iron quillons and knuckle-guard made in one and each terminating in a lozenge-shaped finial, the original wooden scabbard covered with red brocade and with large silver locket, suspension mounts and chape, each chased with flowering foliage within shaped panels and borders, the locket and mount each set with turquoise
38¼in. (97cm.) long

Lot Essay

This sword, the only one of its kind known, was almost certainly made in the Arabian peninsula or for the Arab tribes which inhabit the Persian littoral. Straight blades of this type were exported to Oman and mounted on the kattra but the scabbard suspension rings are both the same side of the scabbard, indicating that the sword was intended to be worn from the waist rather than from the shoulder as was common in Oman. The use of turquoise indicates Persian cultural influence because the word firouz or pirouz in Farsi can mean both victory and turquoise. Turquoise was also very popular in the near East as a means of warding off the evil eye.

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