€530.000 for the missing Harriet Dean sword, Oakeshott Type XVIIIC

Lee · 22nd December 2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

My interest in the Alexandria grouping is more with the earlier ascensions, under Sayf al-din Aristay.

Clive Thomas' articles are produced to a very high standard and I greatly look forward to when he brings it all together with the ultimate publication of his intended book on this subject.

The Aristay group (1400-1408) is especially interesting as the great diversity of types as well as evidence of wear and re-honing of several examples so inscribed suggests this group as war booty. D.G. Alexander's 1985 article European Swords in the Collections of Istanbul (Waffen und Kostümkunde, 27-2) sets out his multifactorial analysis of the inscription groups as diplomatic gifts versus war booty.

Iain · 22nd December 2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

The Aristay group (1400-1408) is especially interesting as the great diversity of types as well as evidence of wear and re-honing of several examples so inscribed suggests this group as war booty. D.G. Alexander's 1985 article European Swords in the Collections of Istanbul (Waffen und Kostümkunde, 27-2) sets out his multifactorial analysis of the inscription groups as diplomatic gifts versus war booty.

Yes, I was remiss in not mentioning Alexander's work as well! I'm sure Lee you can guess why these hold particular interest for me given certain symbols and latten inlays that appear on a few (particularly one sold back in 2010) and a certain blade that made it deeper into Africa.

Reventlov · 9th August 2018, 01:48 PM

Another previously unlocated Alexandrian XVIIIc has resurfaced at auction! It shares the same maker's mark that appears on the XVIIIc in the Royal Armouries: the letter P surmounted by a cross potent, twice repeated. It looks like this is the sword shown in the lower left in the photo from the Ottoman armoury, distinguished for the maker's mark and the damaged tip of the blade by Clive Thomas in his 2003 article. This one sold last month for the "low" price of only £200,000!

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...=6153918&lid=1

9th August 2018, 01:48 PM	#3
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 138	Another previously unlocated Alexandrian XVIIIc has resurfaced at auction! It shares the same maker's mark that appears on the XVIIIc in the Royal Armouries: the letter P surmounted by a cross potent, twice repeated. It looks like this is the sword shown in the lower left in the photo from the Ottoman armoury, distinguished for the maker's mark and the damaged tip of the blade by Clive Thomas in his 2003 article. This one sold last month for the "low" price of only £200,000! https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...=6153918&lid=1 Attached Images