AssadUllah Cartouche/Stamp

ALEX · 30th December 2007, 09:15 PM

Recently I came across saif with depicted below stamp. There is magnitude of AssadUllah stamps, and most of old/original ones are carved, chiselled or coftgaried. This one is done in a different manner, which I have not seen before, it is "inscribed" on the steel, i.e. without deep relief. I think the stamp is not newly made, and would appreciate any comments/references, etc.

ward · 30th December 2007, 10:11 PM

Alex show the whole blade easier to date that way. I asked a friend who knows these he says it reads Assad ullah isfahani thats the city where he worked

ward

ALEX · 30th December 2007, 11:00 PM

I appreciate and value your comments Ward. Thank You!
I studied this shamshir for a short while, and it puzzles me. I knew the stamp reads "AA Isfahani", but I'd love to reach an intelligent conclusion as of this stamp's authenticity (not easy, I know)

Most AA stamps I've seen are either obvious fakes, or at least old and made in certain fashion. This one is old, I think, but made in an unusual fashion. The blade is wootz with prolongated wavy pattern. The sword's shape suggests 19 Cent Arabian saif, IMHO. My current take is: "If AA insignia played such an important role of quality and prestige, the AA stamp should represent the same". Perhaps I am being too judgmental, but the lion looks particularly unusual to me.

ward · 30th December 2007, 11:28 PM

Nice sword Alex hilt looks Indian to me
article on shamshirs Oliver Pinchot wrote is probably
best way to answer your questions he went into all that

ward

Rick · 30th December 2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Nice sword Alex hilt looks Indian to me
article on shamshirs Oliver Pinchot wrote is probably
best way to answer your questions he went into all that

ward

Agreed .
A very well done piece by Oliver .

ALEX · 31st December 2007, 12:02 AM

Ward,
I have the article, and you're right - it's a good reference. And it prooves my point - this particular Lion does NOT resemble the documented ones at all. As I mentioned earlier, almost all old/authentic Lions have certain position, form and style. Just like the one on your recently sold dagger, which is a true CLASSICAL depiction of a lion, and the one which is illustrated in Oliver's article. The Lion on this sword has no references, although I feel it is "old". And it makes it very interesting

Jeff D · 31st December 2007, 12:44 AM

Hi Alex,

Is there any way to get a little more clear image on the signature. It does look like Assaddollah but a Kalbali signature would explain why your Lion looks more canine.

All the Best
Jeff

30th December 2007, 09:15 PM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	AssadUllah Cartouche/Stamp Recently I came across saif with depicted below stamp. There is magnitude of AssadUllah stamps, and most of old/original ones are carved, chiselled or coftgaried. This one is done in a different manner, which I have not seen before, it is "inscribed" on the steel, i.e. without deep relief. I think the stamp is not newly made, and would appreciate any comments/references, etc. Attached Images

30th December 2007, 11:00 PM	#3
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	I appreciate and value your comments Ward. Thank You! I studied this shamshir for a short while, and it puzzles me. I knew the stamp reads "AA Isfahani", but I'd love to reach an intelligent conclusion as of this stamp's authenticity (not easy, I know) Most AA stamps I've seen are either obvious fakes, or at least old and made in certain fashion. This one is old, I think, but made in an unusual fashion. The blade is wootz with prolongated wavy pattern. The sword's shape suggests 19 Cent Arabian saif, IMHO. My current take is: "If AA insignia played such an important role of quality and prestige, the AA stamp should represent the same". Perhaps I am being too judgmental, but the lion looks particularly unusual to me. Attached Images Last edited by ALEX; 30th December 2007 at 11:52 PM.

30th December 2007, 10:11 PM	#2
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Alex show the whole blade easier to date that way. I asked a friend who knows these he says it reads Assad ullah isfahani thats the city where he worked ward

30th December 2007, 11:28 PM	#4
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Nice sword Alex hilt looks Indian to me article on shamshirs Oliver Pinchot wrote is probably best way to answer your questions he went into all that ward

31st December 2007, 12:02 AM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Ward, I have the article, and you're right - it's a good reference. And it prooves my point - this particular Lion does NOT resemble the documented ones at all. As I mentioned earlier, almost all old/authentic Lions have certain position, form and style. Just like the one on your recently sold dagger, which is a true CLASSICAL depiction of a lion, and the one which is illustrated in Oliver's article. The Lion on this sword has no references, although I feel it is "old". And it makes it very interesting

31st December 2007, 12:44 AM	#7
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Alex, Is there any way to get a little more clear image on the signature. It does look like Assaddollah but a Kalbali signature would explain why your Lion looks more canine. All the Best Jeff