Arabo-Ottoman sword

[Battara]

I was thinking your wonderful example comes from Morocco.

[Kubur]

Arab / Zanzibar
You have two kind of guards with ring or the Persian style.
More important are the grip and scabbard...
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=zanzibar

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Battara

I was thinking your wonderful example comes from Morocco.

I too believe this is from the northern African Coast through to Tunisia.

The variation of the hilt shape, the type of quillons and the presence of coral all point to Tunisia for me.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...23&postcount=1

Gavin

[Belgian1]

Hello to all members.
Thank you very much for your comments and link.

Is there a rapprochement with the Zanzibar type swords.
Do you have any idea why this handle rhinoceros horn and silver.
Rhino horn was it not for a fortunate elite?

see you soon
Fabrice

[Ian]

Fabrice:

Can you say a little more about why you think this hilt is made from rhino horn?

Ian

Originally Posted by Belgian1

Hello to all members.
Thank you very much for your comments and link.

Is there a rapprochement with the Zanzibar type swords.
Do you have any idea why this handle rhinoceros horn and silver.
Rhino horn was it not for a fortunate elite?

see you soon
Fabrice

[Belgian1]

Originally Posted by Ian

Fabrice:

Can you say a little more about why you think this hilt is made from rhino horn?

Ian

Hello Ian, Hello to all members and a big thank you for your comments and your interest about this "enigmatic" sword :-)

The handle seems rhinoceros horn because its fiber had the characteristics of this very special material (fortunately the species is protected today).

I'm "almost sure" that it is rhino horn. Do you think it is not possible for this type of sword or have you another suposition ?
Thank you for your interest.

Have a good day and see you soon
Fabrice

[A.alnakkas]

a lovely and complete example. The silverwork is very similar to Omani style, thus makes me lean towards the Zanzibar suggestion.

Gav, that photo seems very orientalist in style... makes you wonder if its not made up :-)

[Tim Simmons]

The cord makes me think of North Africa.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

I too believe this is from the northern African Coast through to Tunisia.

The variation of the hilt shape, the type of quillons and the presence of coral all point to Tunisia for me.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...23&postcount=1

Gavin

Hi Gavin,
Your photograph is an Orientalist photograph not an ethnographic photo.
Orientalist photos and paintings are useful to see the weapons but not really to seek their origins. This photo is a classic Palace or Harem guard. Some guards have Zanzibari saif with Caucasian pistol and Algerian flyssa... Have a look at the Orientalist painting that I posted in your inquiry for Syrian silver work, it's the same, a huge mix.... Best, Kubur

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Gavin,
Your photograph is an Orientalist photograph not an ethnographic photo.
Orientalist photos and paintings are useful to see the weapons but not really to seek their origins. This photo is a classic Palace or Harem guard. Some guards have Zanzibari saif with Caucasian pistol and Algerian flyssa... Have a look at the Orientalist painting that I posted in your inquiry for Syrian silver work, it's the same, a huge mix.... Best, Kubur

So little is actually known about the photo...of course it is "staged" as photos of the day where not largely instant as they are today but staged with what accuracy is not fully known. All aspects of the image may actually be true and within context under the Orientalists lens rather than brush. I cannot locate a series of photos of the sword and subject matter noted as being from else where so it is likely, based on the historical references of the photo archives I see no reason to doubt it.

http://www.spaarnestadphoto.nl/compo...sultRecord,12/

Gavin