THE OLDEST KNOWN YATAGHAN!!!!

josh stout · 9th July 2014, 06:42 PM

The dragon and phoenix motif with stylized clouds is absolutely of Chinese origin. Very similar examples can be found in Persian carpets, and are usually attributed to the Mongols' habit of moving entire villages of artisans combined with trade along the Silk Road.

Given the places being discussed, Greece, North India, the Balkans, and Turkey, the Silk Road seems a possible method of cross pollination, but the Mongols seem a more significant source.

It is interesting to think of the great flows of ideas leading to these knives. Alexander headed East and the Mongols headed West along much of the same territory.

Sancar · 9th July 2014, 11:47 PM

"The dragon and phoenix motif with stylized clouds" actaually is a motif that can be found heavily in Ottoman art. It is a common motif especially in "Saz Üslubu" school of Ottoman art that was very popular in Kanuni Suleiman I's era, popularized by Ottoman painter "Şahkulu" in that time. This blade's decoration is a very famous and typical example of "Saz Üslubu".

These two yataghans of Kanuni Suleiman I are made by Ahmet Tekeli, the court jeweler.

ariel · 10th July 2014, 12:07 PM

Sancar,
What evidence do we have that this ( and, potentilly, other) yataghan were made specifically by Ahmet Tekelu, the enigmatic master? Any signatures on the yataghans? Any mention of this particular master in the roster of court armourers/ jewelers? Any contemporary records mentioning him as the manufacturer?

Emanuel · 10th July 2014, 02:55 PM

Hello,

There is the blade manufacturer, and the blade decorator. Was Ahmet Tekelu's workshop decorating or forging the blades?

I am waiting for permission to post a picture of what looks like an identical yataghan without the decorations, from the collection of the Madrid Royal Armoury.

Incidentally, I am still searching for images of early yataghan from the Siege of Vienna, without any luck.

Emanuel

spiral · 10th July 2014, 07:31 PM

What stunningly beautiful work.....

Spiral

Sancar · 10th July 2014, 10:48 PM

The yatağan in the Topkapi Palace armoury has signature on its back (Work of Ahmet Tekeli). Ahmet Tekeli, member of the court jewelers organisation is also mentioned several times in Court payroll record books (books of Ehl-i Hiref) of Kanuni Suleiman's era. One example lists the presents given by Suleiman Khan, for Ramadan Festival to court jeweler and koftgari master Ahmet Tekeli(3000 coins and a kaftan with spots). Ottoman court is famously very obsessive about keeping records of every small detail.

And , I believe Ahmet Tekeli is the decorator of these blades, not the bladesmith.

ariel · 11th July 2014, 03:09 AM

Thanks Sancar!

9th July 2014, 11:47 PM	#2
Sancar Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 79	"The dragon and phoenix motif with stylized clouds" actaually is a motif that can be found heavily in Ottoman art. It is a common motif especially in "Saz Üslubu" school of Ottoman art that was very popular in Kanuni Suleiman I's era, popularized by Ottoman painter "Şahkulu" in that time. This blade's decoration is a very famous and typical example of "Saz Üslubu". These two yataghans of Kanuni Suleiman I are made by Ahmet Tekeli, the court jeweler. Last edited by Sancar; 10th July 2014 at 10:31 PM.

9th July 2014, 06:42 PM	#1
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	The dragon and phoenix motif with stylized clouds is absolutely of Chinese origin. Very similar examples can be found in Persian carpets, and are usually attributed to the Mongols' habit of moving entire villages of artisans combined with trade along the Silk Road. Given the places being discussed, Greece, North India, the Balkans, and Turkey, the Silk Road seems a possible method of cross pollination, but the Mongols seem a more significant source. It is interesting to think of the great flows of ideas leading to these knives. Alexander headed East and the Mongols headed West along much of the same territory.

10th July 2014, 12:07 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Sancar, What evidence do we have that this ( and, potentilly, other) yataghan were made specifically by Ahmet Tekelu, the enigmatic master? Any signatures on the yataghans? Any mention of this particular master in the roster of court armourers/ jewelers? Any contemporary records mentioning him as the manufacturer?

10th July 2014, 02:55 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello, There is the blade manufacturer, and the blade decorator. Was Ahmet Tekelu's workshop decorating or forging the blades? I am waiting for permission to post a picture of what looks like an identical yataghan without the decorations, from the collection of the Madrid Royal Armoury. Incidentally, I am still searching for images of early yataghan from the Siege of Vienna, without any luck. Emanuel

10th July 2014, 07:31 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	What stunningly beautiful work..... Spiral

10th July 2014, 10:48 PM	#6
Sancar Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 79	The yatağan in the Topkapi Palace armoury has signature on its back (Work of Ahmet Tekeli). Ahmet Tekeli, member of the court jewelers organisation is also mentioned several times in Court payroll record books (books of Ehl-i Hiref) of Kanuni Suleiman's era. One example lists the presents given by Suleiman Khan, for Ramadan Festival to court jeweler and koftgari master Ahmet Tekeli(3000 coins and a kaftan with spots). Ottoman court is famously very obsessive about keeping records of every small detail. And , I believe Ahmet Tekeli is the decorator of these blades, not the bladesmith.

11th July 2014, 03:09 AM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Thanks Sancar!