Ali Dinar(?) Kaskara

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by TVV

A reference to the seven sleepers?

Teodor

In the Islamic tradition, there would be eight names. Kitmir, their dog, was also with the youths.
I also think that in this case the dots would be located in one block.
But look at the photo below. Recently, Marius showed his Ottoman kard.
On its handle is a Tree of Immortality with the same arrangement of five dots. And two separately outside the composition.
I think they should also be considered separately on the sword blade.
Most likely, this is a metaphor of spiritual ascent through the observance of religious precepts, or Sufi practices.
Something similar in meaning to the drawing "the Prophet's ladder" (Kirk Narduban) on the blades.
In the Ottoman tradition, the image of a tree may probably have another meaning (the famous dream of Osman I about a tree growing out of him),
but in this case I think the same "message" is on the kard and the kaskara.

[Jerseyman]

Just adding the picture Jim mentioned in post #4 from Tony North's book, 'Islamic Arms' p30.

[Jack Fletcher]

Absolutely amazing and stunning!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jerseyman

Just adding the picture Jim mentioned in post #4 from Tony North's book, 'Islamic Arms' p30.

Thank you!
That was "Introduction to Islamic Arms " (1999).
I recall talking with Tony North while I was researching Ali Dinar kaskaras as I had come across one said to be from his armory, and asked about the one in this sword grouping. He said he believed it was then owned by a collector in SE Asia or Thailand? but had lost track of where.

[Jerseyman]

You're welcome. I have the HMSO 1985 print which only has 'Islamic Arms' on the cover - but you're right, inside the title plate says 'An Introduction to Islamic Arms'.

If anyone wants to read the book you can borrow a digital copy by the hour for free from The Internet Archive by setting up a free account.

https://archive.org/details/introductiontois0000nort

I only got to meet Tony a couple of times at the Arms & Armour Society and the man was an absolute fount of arms information! He was a real loss to the community.