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Old 11th December 2007, 04:19 AM   #18
Jim McDougall
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
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Thank you for the additional photo of the script Spiral. The figures you show do have a certain resemblance to those on Norman's example. They seem rather loose and open in similar manner, but I cant say they are the same. Returning to the term 'cintamani' (or chintamani) that I mentioned. This term in what I understand is basically a symbol usually three spots (for leopard) over lines (tiger) and used in textile and other material culture motif in Central Asia. I have seen shamshirs considered from these regions that carried motif of a circle topped by three dots on the hilt, with the explanation that this symbolism reflected tribal pride in Timirud ancestry.

This symbol on the blade seems to concur with regions we are considering for this sword. What is most interesting is that it appears over the central figure in this inscription almost positioned as a diacritic. While obviously I am not a linguist, I suggest this simply as an analogy.

The blade on this tulwar also seems much like Central Asian shamshirs I have seen with heavy blades carrying subtle yelman widening the blade point.

Sure would like to pin that floral/vegetal motif on the back of the blade.

All best regards,
Jim
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