Strange symbol on tulwar blade?

Matt Easton · 5th May 2014, 08:26 PM

Hi folks - below is a nice simple tulwar of decent quality that has come into my hands. The blade is nicely made, with one full on one side and twin fullers on the other, it is sharp and flexible with lots of distal taper.

What I want to know is, does the symbol on the blade mean anything to anyone here? The writing in it has been mostly rubbed out through polishing during its working life, but I wondered if the overall motif rung any bells?

Thanks,
Matt

Iain · 5th May 2014, 08:38 PM

This is very much not my area but it strikes me as similar to some of the Asadullah makers mark motifs?

Andrew · 6th May 2014, 04:06 PM

Agree. Looks like a crude attempt to add an Assadullah cartouche to an otherwise purely Indian blade.

Oliver Pinchot · 6th May 2014, 04:29 PM

It certainly wants to be an Islamic inscription, but there are some anomalies.
First off, it is etched rather than chiseled. Too, the characters look to have been copied from another blade, probably by someone who could not read them. The biggest problem, however, is that it is heavily worn. If someone can enhance the contrast, we might be able to determine a little more.

In On Damascus Steel, Leo Figiel pictures a number of blades which are not of Persian form, but are nonetheless inscribed. The Safavids impacted many neighboring cultures, particularly the Mughals. Thus, many Persian terms and characteristics relating to arms, inscribed cartouches prominent among them, occurred on weapons considered characteristically "Indian."

Matt Easton · 6th May 2014, 05:19 PM

Thanks guys, very interesting. So this may have been added fairly crudely to what seems an basic-quality tulwar appeal to a Muslim buyer who probably wouldn't be able to read anyway?

Andrew · 6th May 2014, 05:59 PM

Hi Matt. Your guess is as good as any. May be as simple as an owner/seller looking to add "value" to an otherwise pedestrian blade by putting that cartouche there.

Genuine Asadullah blades are scarce, valuable and highly desirable.

Jens Nordlunde · 6th May 2014, 06:08 PM

I think Oliver has a very strong point, to say that they must have been copied by someone not able to read the characters.

Think of how many blades are 'signed' by Assad Ullah, had he made all the blade himself he would have been likely to have be 400 years old – or something like that.

Copies of inscriptions were made. Some when the blade was made and some later, and some were better at copying than others.

To me this inscription is a crude copy, maybe made later than the blade.

Jens

5th May 2014, 08:26 PM	#1
Matt Easton Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, Great Britain. Posts: 53	Strange symbol on tulwar blade? Hi folks - below is a nice simple tulwar of decent quality that has come into my hands. The blade is nicely made, with one full on one side and twin fullers on the other, it is sharp and flexible with lots of distal taper. What I want to know is, does the symbol on the blade mean anything to anyone here? The writing in it has been mostly rubbed out through polishing during its working life, but I wondered if the overall motif rung any bells? Thanks, Matt Attached Images

6th May 2014, 04:29 PM	#4
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	It certainly wants to be an Islamic inscription, but there are some anomalies. First off, it is etched rather than chiseled. Too, the characters look to have been copied from another blade, probably by someone who could not read them. The biggest problem, however, is that it is heavily worn. If someone can enhance the contrast, we might be able to determine a little more. In On Damascus Steel, Leo Figiel pictures a number of blades which are not of Persian form, but are nonetheless inscribed. The Safavids impacted many neighboring cultures, particularly the Mughals. Thus, many Persian terms and characteristics relating to arms, inscribed cartouches prominent among them, occurred on weapons considered characteristically "Indian." Last edited by Oliver Pinchot; 6th May 2014 at 04:41 PM.

5th May 2014, 08:38 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	This is very much not my area but it strikes me as similar to some of the Asadullah makers mark motifs?

6th May 2014, 04:06 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Agree. Looks like a crude attempt to add an Assadullah cartouche to an otherwise purely Indian blade.

6th May 2014, 05:19 PM	#5
Matt Easton Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, Great Britain. Posts: 53	Thanks guys, very interesting. So this may have been added fairly crudely to what seems an basic-quality tulwar appeal to a Muslim buyer who probably wouldn't be able to read anyway?

6th May 2014, 05:59 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Hi Matt. Your guess is as good as any. May be as simple as an owner/seller looking to add "value" to an otherwise pedestrian blade by putting that cartouche there. Genuine Asadullah blades are scarce, valuable and highly desirable.

6th May 2014, 06:08 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I think Oliver has a very strong point, to say that they must have been copied by someone not able to read the characters. Think of how many blades are 'signed' by Assad Ullah, had he made all the blade himself he would have been likely to have be 400 years old – or something like that. Copies of inscriptions were made. Some when the blade was made and some later, and some were better at copying than others. To me this inscription is a crude copy, maybe made later than the blade. Jens