My first kaskara

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by paolo

Thank You all for the inputs.
The blade has a ricasso, the first 12,5 cm. on both side are without edge.

Ed, thank You for the valuable notes about Italians in Kassala and about the anadorned hilts . Might I find a woolen tassel somewere ?

About the like number "2" sign, this rimind to me a kind of Caucasian carpet called SILEH (pic attached)
Regards
Paolo

Great observation Paulo! This is a perfect reminder of the importance of the motif in rugs and other material culture in identifying some of the designs and motif found in weapons decoration. While many designs are found in the motif, there are often structural features and elements relating to architectural designs as well.
These Caucasian rugs as I understand are actually thought to be abstract images of a dragon, and while I dont think pertain to this particular example the comparison is very well noted.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Great observation Paulo! This is a perfect reminder of the importance of the motif in rugs and other material culture in identifying some of the designs and motif found in weapons decoration. While many designs are found in the motif, there are often structural features and elements relating to architectural designs as well.
These Caucasian rugs as I understand are actually thought to be abstract images of a dragon, and while I dont think pertain to this particular example the comparison is very well noted.

Salaams Jim, I am intrigued by the five fuller blade and suspect the Italian Schiavona influence... Regarding the figure 2 which is correctly identified by A.alnakkas as Ha in the Arabic alphabet... It is not related to the S or Z pattern on the Caucas rug which comes from an entirely different base design. There may well be some talismanic background to the use of this letter; paired. Nice sword and amazing as a first sword from that region!
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.