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Jim McDougall · 24th January 2008, 06:15 AM

It is interesting that the term 'palasche' is used in the auction description of this lavishly decorated sword which is of course,as further noted, an Ottoman pala.
The palasche description is noted from an uncited book on Islamic weapons, which apparantly describes a similar example as an 'Egyptian palasche'. I think the term may derive from the Stone reference (p.479) which illustrates this as a 'Polish sabre' of 17th century with blades either straight or very curved. Obviously the term either readjusted or became misconstrued as it seems now that 'pallasch' refers to a straight bladed sword. Of further interest in the entry is that the sabres shown in Stone, similar in mounts to the kilic/pala, the lavish decoration described as gold damascened and set with coral and turquoise.

As Turkish swords clearly had profound influence on the swords of Poland, despite the obvious conflicts, it is simply interesting to note the similarity of decoration, clearly Ottoman derived from 17th c. and the use of the palasche term in the uncited reference noting Egyptian attribution.

It seems that I have seen a similar example a number of years ago with lavish coral decoration of this type in a pamphlet on Islamic arms which I believe was Rich Wagners collection and I believe the text was by the late Walter Karcheski, and though only a few pages, pretty fantastic! I regret that I cannot recall the specifics, but it seems it was suggested that the sword was from Algeria. I believe these may have been for presentation or diplomatic gifts in the expansive Ottoman Empire.

With diplomatic or presentation swords, if I am not mistaken, it is not uncommon to have koftgari applied and or wording etc. placed on trophy blades which are then mounted, as this may have been. I recall seeing references and illustrations referring to this practice in Russia with older trophy blades with gold inlaid wording as awards to officers for gallantry etc. While this is just an example, it seems of course a widespread practice which likely included the Ottomans.

Although the decoration seems a bit overdone

I must admit I've developed a keen admiration for coral and turquoise while travelling through the southwest lately! I am curious about the symbolic or superstitious application of these stones in the parlance of the Middle East.

24th January 2008, 06:15 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	It is interesting that the term 'palasche' is used in the auction description of this lavishly decorated sword which is of course,as further noted, an Ottoman pala. The palasche description is noted from an uncited book on Islamic weapons, which apparantly describes a similar example as an 'Egyptian palasche'. I think the term may derive from the Stone reference (p.479) which illustrates this as a 'Polish sabre' of 17th century with blades either straight or very curved. Obviously the term either readjusted or became misconstrued as it seems now that 'pallasch' refers to a straight bladed sword. Of further interest in the entry is that the sabres shown in Stone, similar in mounts to the kilic/pala, the lavish decoration described as gold damascened and set with coral and turquoise. As Turkish swords clearly had profound influence on the swords of Poland, despite the obvious conflicts, it is simply interesting to note the similarity of decoration, clearly Ottoman derived from 17th c. and the use of the palasche term in the uncited reference noting Egyptian attribution. It seems that I have seen a similar example a number of years ago with lavish coral decoration of this type in a pamphlet on Islamic arms which I believe was Rich Wagners collection and I believe the text was by the late Walter Karcheski, and though only a few pages, pretty fantastic! I regret that I cannot recall the specifics, but it seems it was suggested that the sword was from Algeria. I believe these may have been for presentation or diplomatic gifts in the expansive Ottoman Empire. With diplomatic or presentation swords, if I am not mistaken, it is not uncommon to have koftgari applied and or wording etc. placed on trophy blades which are then mounted, as this may have been. I recall seeing references and illustrations referring to this practice in Russia with older trophy blades with gold inlaid wording as awards to officers for gallantry etc. While this is just an example, it seems of course a widespread practice which likely included the Ottomans. Although the decoration seems a bit overdone I must admit I've developed a keen admiration for coral and turquoise while travelling through the southwest lately! I am curious about the symbolic or superstitious application of these stones in the parlance of the Middle East.