BLADE IRAN 17TH/18TH CENTURY, HILT INDIA, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A SAFAVID SWORD (SHAMSHIR)
BLADE IRAN 17TH/18TH CENTURY, HILT INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
The gently curving single-edged steel blade with slightly extended spine near the tip, worked in finely watered steel, inlaid on one side with two inscription cartouches, one with the signature of the maker, Kalb 'Ali, the other with the name of the Sultan, Shah Tahmasp, the Indian parcel gilt tulwar hilt with knuckleguard terminating in a bird's head, worked in relief with pronounced leaves, green velvet covered wooden sheath
37in. (94cm.) long

Provenance

Dr. Leo Figiel Collection, sold Butterfield's San Francisco, 24 August 1998 to the present owner.

Literature

Leo S. Figiel M.D., On Damascus Steel, New York, 1991, no.PS6, pp.50-51.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The inscriptions read: "'Amal kalb 'Ali" and "bande-i shah wilayat Tahmasp".

The second inscription probably refers to Shah Tahmasp II, the last of the Safavid rulers who reigned 1722-1731. For a discussion on the blades signed by Kalb 'Ali and suggested explanations please see Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Arms and Armour from Iran, Tübingen, 2006, pp.163-167.

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