Nice Persian TABAR for comment

Jim McDougall · 22nd June 2008, 05:47 AM

While a very attractive piece, this does seem to be an interpretation of Persian parade axes of the 18th century. These had the symmetrical crescents, but no knob type affectation at the top of the haft.

There does seem to be some interesting history behind these double headed axes that extends back to ancient Minoans and Knossos. The double axe was apparantly called a 'labrys', and as the palace at Knossos was the fabled labrynthe it was known as 'house of the double axe'. While not claiming to be a classical historian, I found this interesting, but did not pursue the possible links to Persian history, and some notes to the use of the double crescent in thier art.

Elgood, in "Islamic Arms and Armour" (p.238) notes that in the Ottoman courts, the 'Peiks' (Persian=the messengers) which were one of the Sultan's bodyguard units carried axes with double heads.

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22nd June 2008, 05:47 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,470	While a very attractive piece, this does seem to be an interpretation of Persian parade axes of the 18th century. These had the symmetrical crescents, but no knob type affectation at the top of the haft. There does seem to be some interesting history behind these double headed axes that extends back to ancient Minoans and Knossos. The double axe was apparantly called a 'labrys', and as the palace at Knossos was the fabled labrynthe it was known as 'house of the double axe'. While not claiming to be a classical historian, I found this interesting, but did not pursue the possible links to Persian history, and some notes to the use of the double crescent in thier art. Elgood, in "Islamic Arms and Armour" (p.238) notes that in the Ottoman courts, the 'Peiks' (Persian=the messengers) which were one of the Sultan's bodyguard units carried axes with double heads.