Makers mark on 19th century 'star and comet' Kaskara blade

Oliver Pinchot · 15th February 2025, 07:04 PM

Well explicated, Jim.
The connection is fairly simple-- the dominant Islamic culture in that region for centuries was the Ottoman. As I discussed in On the Persian Shamshir (2001, available here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20604) , pictograms gradually overtook inscriptions in importance on blades in Islamic cultures. This happened for a variety of reasons: in the case of Persian blades, I showed that lion marks evolved in recognition of an Assad Allah brand (which had more traditionally been inscribed in Arabic characters,) intended for a largely illiterate clientele. With Sudanese blades, however, the adoption (and adaptation) of the tugra to local owners was a simple matter of association with Ottoman authority and thus, power. Incidentally, on the topic of literacy, research would probably show that a large percentage of the Mahdi's followers were literate, certainly among his chiefs/ officers.

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2025, 07:43 PM

Thank you Oliver!
I well recall that article on the Assad Allah pictogram on the Persian trade blades, which was brilliant and a most important reference in the study of these notable blades.

As noted, these kinds of symbolic devices became well known as seen on many North African swords, especially it seems on kaskara as these swords became most important in status and religious affirmation in Sudan and Darfur in the latter 19th century.

The toughra in this case, rather than being a traditionally appointed device is more of a trope signifying power and authority as noted. The use of other important symbols or markings also use that convention, for example the familiar cross and orb mark from German blades was often seen as a drum and sticks, an important symbol of a chief or tribal leader often copied onto Sudanese blades.

Clearly the importance observed toward these kinds of marks whether Ottoman or European alluded to power and essentially imbued magic into the blade of the sword.

Such symbolism would not require literacy as a symbol is a subjectively understood device which would be recognized to the initiated accordingly, as you have pointed out.

Thank you again very much for responding on this!! and its great talking with you again, its been a minute

Oliver Pinchot · 15th February 2025, 07:52 PM

More like two, even three

15th February 2025, 07:04 PM	#1
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 468	Well explicated, Jim. The connection is fairly simple-- the dominant Islamic culture in that region for centuries was the Ottoman. As I discussed in On the Persian Shamshir (2001, available here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20604) , pictograms gradually overtook inscriptions in importance on blades in Islamic cultures. This happened for a variety of reasons: in the case of Persian blades, I showed that lion marks evolved in recognition of an Assad Allah brand (which had more traditionally been inscribed in Arabic characters,) intended for a largely illiterate clientele. With Sudanese blades, however, the adoption (and adaptation) of the tugra to local owners was a simple matter of association with Ottoman authority and thus, power. Incidentally, on the topic of literacy, research would probably show that a large percentage of the Mahdi's followers were literate, certainly among his chiefs/ officers.

15th February 2025, 07:43 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,453	Thank you Oliver! I well recall that article on the Assad Allah pictogram on the Persian trade blades, which was brilliant and a most important reference in the study of these notable blades. As noted, these kinds of symbolic devices became well known as seen on many North African swords, especially it seems on kaskara as these swords became most important in status and religious affirmation in Sudan and Darfur in the latter 19th century. The toughra in this case, rather than being a traditionally appointed device is more of a trope signifying power and authority as noted. The use of other important symbols or markings also use that convention, for example the familiar cross and orb mark from German blades was often seen as a drum and sticks, an important symbol of a chief or tribal leader often copied onto Sudanese blades. Clearly the importance observed toward these kinds of marks whether Ottoman or European alluded to power and essentially imbued magic into the blade of the sword. Such symbolism would not require literacy as a symbol is a subjectively understood device which would be recognized to the initiated accordingly, as you have pointed out. Thank you again very much for responding on this!! and its great talking with you again, its been a minute

15th February 2025, 07:52 PM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 468	More like two, even three