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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 327
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Here is a kilij for viewing. The handle is rhino-horn with an old repair on one side. The crossguard has silver inlay, mostly intact. The blade is 33 inches long and is made of sham wootz. No scabbard. I think this sword is an early 1800s piece but I would like more expert opinions on the date. Any help on a translation would be appreciated........Dave.
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Interesting piece. The silver on the crossguard is not inlay but silver koftgari. Nice contrast wootz.
Others can tell you more. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 327
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Sham wootz was always considered lowest on the list of desirable wootz patterns according to what I've read. It's easy to identify because the pattern basically runs parallel the length of the blade like ripples on the water. It also has almost none of swirls that are seen on the more common patterns like Kara-Khorrasan. Visually, I like it the best of all the wootz patterns. B.T.W., you are right, it is koftgari rather than inlay on the cross-guard. Should have noticed that!!!!!..........Dave.
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 1,340
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isnt this one of the Persian wootz types??
Decent blade, but the koftgari on the blade and quillons are Syrian and recent. |
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 327
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 1,340
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Mainly from experience, Dave. I see such koftgari on blades with quillons and scabbard mounts that also have the same silver koftgari. These scabbards and inscriptions are almost uniform and is probably done in the same workshop... The spine inscription is probably even the same poetry.
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 936
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Dave, you are right about sham - it generally "runs the length of the blade". But it is also characterized by low contrast and low activity! The pattern on your blade is quite bold and active, and certainly of quite good quality. I'd not call it anywhere close to the "lowest on the list of desirable wootz patterns"
![]() It's a nice blade! I also agree with A.alnakkas that the cross and coftgari inscription are recent (meaning post 19th Century ![]() |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 1,340
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