Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

The inscriptions read as follows:

Upper cartouche: Abbas, Servant of the Ruler of the Nation

This is a very typical formula and is found on the preponderance of such blades.


Lower cartouche: Work of Zaman Isfahani


A known, but not common, maker. Zaman of Isfahan is often referred to as the "son of Assad Allah" but that, like most of the lore, should be taken as praise, rather than representing a literal relationship.


The lateral inscription: Victory from Allah and conquest nigh!

This is a popular Islamic phrase often found on weapons.

An above average blade, congratulations to its owner.

Oliver thank you so much for giving us this translation from the shamshir blade I posted, which is presently being discussed as well on the concurrent thread 'shamshir translation'. It is interesting to see the Buduh square along with these cartouches.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

PLEASE SEE http://islamic-arts.org/2011/amulets...islamic-world/ for a good general description of Islamic Talismanic artefacts.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

PLEASE SEE http://islamic-arts.org/2011/amulets...islamic-world/ for a good general description of Islamic Talismanic artefacts.

YES and buy this book!!
excellent

Power and Protection: Islamic Art and the Supernatural (Paperback)
by Francesca Leoni, Christiane Gruber

[William Fox]

A huge thank you to Oliver Pinchot for Kindly translating the calligraphy. It has enhanced my appreciation of this beautiful sword.

If anyone has photos of other magic squares used on blades, please post them. This is a fascinating topic!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

THIS REFERENCE CARRIES 173 JAW DROPPING REFERENCES ~ I would place this near the front of any research on Talisman related issues and in particular on Ethiopian structures, silver ring engravings, and other 7 stars related marks encountered across Islamic frontiers.
For the actual page full of research notes see https://www.bing.com/search?q=ISLAMI...s=ds&form=QBRE
While the pinpoint research document by LLOYD Graham is http://www.academia.edu/1999297/In_I...h_the_Pleiades

[Edster]

Ibrahiim,

Thanks for posting these two great links. The Graham article may have unlocked the mystery of the silver grip govers in my Kaskara Silver Dress essay!! The Star & Comet motif may be explained in the Dotted Cross and Stars within the Seven Seals. Likewise, the Squares could be an interpretation of the Dotted Cross as well. This may be a stretch, but so far it's the best explanation available. I'll revise the essay to include this speculation.

William,

The Sotheby's image of an Ali Dinar sword (c.1916) from shows magic squares on the blade.

(Help. I cannot attach images (Figs. 10a, 8 & 1) from the Kaskara Silver Dress essay) to this reply. The Manage Attachments button does not open.)

Ed


ESSAY HERE


.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

William, That is great news !! Good luck with your thesis and I look forward to seeing it.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Edster

--- (Help. I cannot attach images (Figs. 10a, 8 & 1) from the Kaskara Silver Dress essay) to this reply. The Manage Attachments button does not open.)---

This should not happen; why don't you try again later, Ed ?

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Edster

Ibrahiim,

Thanks for posting these two great links. The Graham article may have unlocked the mystery of the silver grip govers in my Kaskara Silver Dress essay!! The Star & Comet motif may be explained in the Dotted Cross and Stars within the Seven Seals. Likewise, the Squares could be an interpretation of the Dotted Cross as well. This may be a stretch, but so far it's the best explanation available. I'll revise the essay to include this speculation.

William,

The Sotheby's image of an Ali Dinar sword (c.1916) from shows magic squares on the blade.

(Help. I cannot attach images (Figs. 10a, 8 & 1) from the Kaskara Silver Dress essay) to this reply. The Manage Attachments button does not open.)

Ed


ESSAY HERE


.

Hi Ed

Well as i wrote previously but clearly nobody look at it
read this book, one Sudanese sword is mentionned...

Power and Protection: Islamic Art and the Supernatural (Paperback)
by Francesca Leoni, Christiane Gruber

Kubur

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Edster

Ibrahiim,

Thanks for posting these two great links. The Graham article may have unlocked the mystery of the silver grip govers in my Kaskara Silver Dress essay!! The Star & Comet motif may be explained in the Dotted Cross and Stars within the Seven Seals. Likewise, the Squares could be an interpretation of the Dotted Cross as well. This may be a stretch, but so far it's the best explanation available. I'll revise the essay to include this speculation.

William,

The Sotheby's image of an Ali Dinar sword (c.1916) from shows magic squares on the blade.

(Help. I cannot attach images (Figs. 10a, 8 & 1) from the Kaskara Silver Dress essay) to this reply. The Manage Attachments button does not open.)

Ed


ESSAY HERE


.

Hello William.. Indeed interesting as the 4 and 5 dotted cross are applied to the hilt. the budu square is excellent and clearly placed. I note the square is placed above and left of the main cartouche and this seems standard. It is interesting that the letters are related to a numerical progression which I think was first indicated after magic squares were transmitted to the Arabs from the Chinese and then relayed in the other direction back to China later.