Tabar Axe(Please help with translation)

Atlantia · 8th December 2012, 01:13 PM

Nalan,

Very nice indeed! I would call it a saddle axe and also suggest Persian (greater Iran 19thC) although perhaps there is a possibility that central Asia is an option?
Are the metal tube covers on the shaft bronze or steel? Can you check with a magnet if possible?
I have one with a similarly constructed handle but more classicallly 'tabar' shaped hammer back head (I think mine is Indo-Persian).
I found that the gold koftgari on mine has worn much more quickly on the bronze/copper alloy of the shaft covers than the hard steel of the head.
On mine the shaft is a woden core with similar metal covers top and bottom and the central section is wound with string then has thin leather shrunk over it to produce a grip. The same I presume as yours?

ATB
Gene

Atlantia · 10th December 2012, 12:14 AM

Just to add......

These decorated 'Tabarzin' must have looked amazing when new... if a little 'sudden'.... even gauche!
Clearly not 'arsenal' or 'munitions' grade pieces. I presume they were more 'knightly' than 'soldier' weapons?

Nalan,
Were the metal parts of the shaft of yours originally covered in koftgari?
The binding on mine which I've now investigated, seems to be a thin 'skin' shrunk over string binding. It'e very dry after 200 years and the closest comparison that I can make is rexine. Not sure what the base is, vellum, linen, paper?
Will you clean yours up at all?
It would be interesting to see if the head on yours is crucible steel?
Usually the 'wootz' heads are mostly exposed like the fine example below from Artzi's site.
I find myself wondering if your's which would have been almost completely covered in gold overlay would have been wootz?
I guess probobly so, but I also guess that the pattern would be non manipulated?

Anyway, it's a very interesting example. The back spike and head shape is unusual.

8th December 2012, 01:13 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Nalan, Very nice indeed! I would call it a saddle axe and also suggest Persian (greater Iran 19thC) although perhaps there is a possibility that central Asia is an option? Are the metal tube covers on the shaft bronze or steel? Can you check with a magnet if possible? I have one with a similarly constructed handle but more classicallly 'tabar' shaped hammer back head (I think mine is Indo-Persian). I found that the gold koftgari on mine has worn much more quickly on the bronze/copper alloy of the shaft covers than the hard steel of the head. On mine the shaft is a woden core with similar metal covers top and bottom and the central section is wound with string then has thin leather shrunk over it to produce a grip. The same I presume as yours? ATB Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 8th December 2012 at 06:46 PM.

10th December 2012, 12:14 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Just to add...... These decorated 'Tabarzin' must have looked amazing when new... if a little 'sudden'.... even gauche! Clearly not 'arsenal' or 'munitions' grade pieces. I presume they were more 'knightly' than 'soldier' weapons? Nalan, Were the metal parts of the shaft of yours originally covered in koftgari? The binding on mine which I've now investigated, seems to be a thin 'skin' shrunk over string binding. It'e very dry after 200 years and the closest comparison that I can make is rexine. Not sure what the base is, vellum, linen, paper? Will you clean yours up at all? It would be interesting to see if the head on yours is crucible steel? Usually the 'wootz' heads are mostly exposed like the fine example below from Artzi's site. I find myself wondering if your's which would have been almost completely covered in gold overlay would have been wootz? I guess probobly so, but I also guess that the pattern would be non manipulated? Anyway, it's a very interesting example. The back spike and head shape is unusual. Attached Images Last edited by Atlantia; 10th December 2012 at 12:35 AM.