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Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
Salaams all ~ Focusing on the heraldic symbols I see peacocks dominating the scabbard furniture design. The Peacock; though it is the national bird of India means "divine protection" when applied in the Persian sense in respect to their inclusion on carpet designs which I feel more obvious when applied to swords! I am trying to trace the other heraldic symbols so far with no result...Any Islamic Heraldic Symbol specialists out there though they do appear to be European designs..?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
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Salaams Ibrahiim,
You beat me to the punch on the peacock...
I think Gav's (wonderful) observation of the Ouroboros design of the scabbard rings, the syncretic systems gaining traction in Europe at the time, and Richard's fascinating note of Burns' involvement in Freemasonry all speak to a possibility of a symbolic syncretism at work in the furniture and fittings. The talismanic Islamic inscriptions and symbolism on the blade would have been congruent and consistent in the eyes of an 'enlightened' individual of the era.
Cheers,
Chris