Georgian Saber

ariel · 11th May 2009, 01:50 AM

Got it VERY cheap on e-bay.
These puppies are rare.
The handle is covered with nielloed silver and the belt alone is a treasure, with several attachements and beautifully nielloed silver. Nothing is hallmarked, of course: even then Georgians were free spirits and economic anarchists; the idea of paying taxes to the Russian treasury never appealed to them. There are 3 Russian coins attached, the latest one from 1916.
The scabbard betrays a very pragmatic approach: brass instead of silver, in a Khevsuri style. The blade.... Well, at that time swordfights were on a decline, to put it mildly, and the quality of the blade is not great. But, of course, there are multiple " gurda" signs to advertise the blade's deadly ability and ancient origin.
One would wear this saber to a famous Georgian banquet, with wine flowing like water, tables screeching under the weight of food and with unending and very flowery toasts by a Tamada ( head toastmaster) quoting poems by Rustaveli and leading the entire company's polyphonic singing.
Love these people....

TVV · 11th May 2009, 02:39 AM

Very nice! For me though it is becoming extremely hard to differentiate between the genuine Georgian items and the recently made ones.

Jason Anstey · 11th May 2009, 04:21 AM

Nice pick up indeed Ariel.

Fantastic that the belt is so nice as well, I would imagine that a belt such as this would be worth a lot of $$ on it's own - somewhere in the early 000's (sorry for the vulgarity of $ values)

Ahhh, I wish I had you knowledge of Russian, Caucasian and Georgian arms. I really want a Kuban Shashka but am too wary of Georgian fakes.

Well done again

Jason

ariel · 12th May 2009, 02:37 AM

Yes, with the emergence of the "New Russians" (a predatory stratum of the nuveau riche post-USSR society) the demand for Russian antiques went through the roof. Everybody wants to have Faberge jewelry, carved malachite vases, original paintings and, unfortunately, old weapons. And money is not an object.
But.... every demand is followed by an immediate supply. Thus, there is a whole industry in Russia, Georgia and in the US busily manufacturing antiques of all kinds and selling them for king's ransom. Since there are very good local artists, the quality may be excellent, with nary a hint of forgery. Often, however, the mistakes the forgers make are astoundingly stupid.
It is very risky to buy any antique weapon from Georgia. I know of only one very honest seller.
A joke: A New Russian bought a horrifically expensive Ming Dynasty vase, but then he became depressed, because it was made in China...

TVV · 12th May 2009, 03:09 AM

Ariel, while I understand the rules preclude you from posting the only honest Georgian dealer in this thread, I would be grateful if you send me his name/ eBay nickname through a PM.

Thank you,
Teodor

ariel · 12th May 2009, 03:43 AM

You have a PM

11th May 2009, 01:50 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Georgian Saber Got it VERY cheap on e-bay. These puppies are rare. The handle is covered with nielloed silver and the belt alone is a treasure, with several attachements and beautifully nielloed silver. Nothing is hallmarked, of course: even then Georgians were free spirits and economic anarchists; the idea of paying taxes to the Russian treasury never appealed to them. There are 3 Russian coins attached, the latest one from 1916. The scabbard betrays a very pragmatic approach: brass instead of silver, in a Khevsuri style. The blade.... Well, at that time swordfights were on a decline, to put it mildly, and the quality of the blade is not great. But, of course, there are multiple " gurda" signs to advertise the blade's deadly ability and ancient origin. One would wear this saber to a famous Georgian banquet, with wine flowing like water, tables screeching under the weight of food and with unending and very flowery toasts by a Tamada ( head toastmaster) quoting poems by Rustaveli and leading the entire company's polyphonic singing. Love these people.... Attached Images

11th May 2009, 02:39 AM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Very nice! For me though it is becoming extremely hard to differentiate between the genuine Georgian items and the recently made ones. Last edited by TVV; 11th May 2009 at 05:15 AM.

11th May 2009, 04:21 AM	#3
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	Nice pick up indeed Ariel. Fantastic that the belt is so nice as well, I would imagine that a belt such as this would be worth a lot of $$ on it's own - somewhere in the early 000's (sorry for the vulgarity of $ values) Ahhh, I wish I had you knowledge of Russian, Caucasian and Georgian arms. I really want a Kuban Shashka but am too wary of Georgian fakes. Well done again Jason

12th May 2009, 02:37 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, with the emergence of the "New Russians" (a predatory stratum of the nuveau riche post-USSR society) the demand for Russian antiques went through the roof. Everybody wants to have Faberge jewelry, carved malachite vases, original paintings and, unfortunately, old weapons. And money is not an object. But.... every demand is followed by an immediate supply. Thus, there is a whole industry in Russia, Georgia and in the US busily manufacturing antiques of all kinds and selling them for king's ransom. Since there are very good local artists, the quality may be excellent, with nary a hint of forgery. Often, however, the mistakes the forgers make are astoundingly stupid. It is very risky to buy any antique weapon from Georgia. I know of only one very honest seller. A joke: A New Russian bought a horrifically expensive Ming Dynasty vase, but then he became depressed, because it was made in China...

12th May 2009, 03:09 AM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Ariel, while I understand the rules preclude you from posting the only honest Georgian dealer in this thread, I would be grateful if you send me his name/ eBay nickname through a PM. Thank you, Teodor

12th May 2009, 03:43 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	You have a PM