High quality Qajar blades

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

The serpent often represented on blades in this period, whether double- or single-headed, is a semiotic device which refers to Zahhak, a creature of evil which appears in Persian literature as early as the Zoroastrian Avestas (generally considered to have been compiled 200-600 b.c.e.) Zahhak, like most snakes, was known not only for its ill temper, but for its capacity to strike faster than the blink of an eye, characteristics immediately understood by any audience in this cultural group.

Thank you so much Oliver for all these very valuable information.
But do you agree that the examples presented above are not late Qajar or Persian revival cheap blades?
I will look again at the MET catalogue.

Kubur

[Oliver Pinchot]

Specifically which examples?

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Specifically which examples?

The MET sword. I had a look at Alexander excellent catalogue and he says that the blade is signed by Loft Ali Shirazi from the 18th c. but also with a cartouche of Nasir al din shah as you mentionned previously, from the 19th c.
The cartouches look very similar and its highly improbable that Nasir al din cartouche was added later...
A last point to add I had this kind of blade in my hands recently and the sword has very sharp edges, not like the acid etched ones who are purely decorative or for parade. I was just curious to know how many high quality blades like that are known in the world.

[Oliver Pinchot]

None of the images are cited, probably easiest just to paste it in again below