Assad Allah

ward · 9th February 2008, 09:44 PM

I found this depiction of a lion dates to 3rd-4th century Roman occupation in the Bardo museum in Tunis,Tunisia. It is very close to the the style used in the Assad Allah trade blades. I believe we can infer that this is probaly the earlier form that the symbol is based upon.

Jim McDougall · 13th February 2008, 06:41 AM

Interesting perception Ward ! It does seem that these lion figures were quite often seen symbolically in ancient art, and it is especially interesting that this Roman example is found in Tunisia. In an article on this topic from the New York Times ("Imperial Nights in Tunisia With Mythology Underfoot", Geraldine Fabrikant, 4/11/07), it is noted that North Africans by legal statute were granted advantageous status and compensation for adhering to values of Roman civilization. Wealthy Tunisians tried to imitate Roman culture and art and had lavish floor mosaics put in thier homes. The lion seems to have been a popular theme.

The Romans during these times were heavily influenced by the Sassanid Empire of Persia, and it is interesting that in some cases the golden lion had been adopted as a standard device by prominant figures. It would seem possible that the lion figure may have found its way to North Africa via the Romans and possibly from Sassanian influence.

In the outstanding article by Oliver Pinchot, "The Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah" ("Arms Collecting" Vol.40, #1, Feb. 2002) footnote 42, notes, "...the Shir e Khorshid, or Lion and Sun, became the Qajar dynastic crest, in emulation of European models, and remained the Persian state emblem until recently. The lion was also an important icon in pre-Islamic Persia".
In the article, it is further noted that the use of the lion pictogram became popular during the increased volume production of trade blades during the Qajar era to allude to the Assad Allah signature, and more commercially superceding the typical cartouches with makers name incised and inlaid with gold or brass.

The image of this lion from North Africa does show a marked similarity to the Persian Shir e Khorshid, and in degree to the Ethiopian Lion of Judah, as well as European heraldic lions, and beautifully illustrates the diffusion of artistic symbolism through historic times.

Thank you so much for posting this Ward!

All the best,
Jim

HUSAR · 13th February 2008, 07:40 PM

looks similar

ward · 14th February 2008, 02:11 AM

Damian that is a nice piece if you had been out of town that day it would have been mine. oh well

Jim McDougall · 14th February 2008, 05:45 AM

This is a good example of the pictograph discussed Husar! What type of sword is the blade from?

HUSAR · 14th February 2008, 08:08 AM

Hello Jim
The sword is very similar to one i already have (pictures). However blade is lighter and longer (almost 87cm) The difference in 3 chiseled inscription instead of 2 and some gold work along the blade and also gold inscription which I posted yesterday on forum. I will try to take some pictures of this particular sword during weekend and post on forum.

HUSAR · 14th February 2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Damian that is a nice piece if you had been out of town that day it would have been mine. oh well

Thats true ! This time I was just more lucky

13th February 2008, 06:41 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,948	Interesting perception Ward ! It does seem that these lion figures were quite often seen symbolically in ancient art, and it is especially interesting that this Roman example is found in Tunisia. In an article on this topic from the New York Times ("Imperial Nights in Tunisia With Mythology Underfoot", Geraldine Fabrikant, 4/11/07), it is noted that North Africans by legal statute were granted advantageous status and compensation for adhering to values of Roman civilization. Wealthy Tunisians tried to imitate Roman culture and art and had lavish floor mosaics put in thier homes. The lion seems to have been a popular theme. The Romans during these times were heavily influenced by the Sassanid Empire of Persia, and it is interesting that in some cases the golden lion had been adopted as a standard device by prominant figures. It would seem possible that the lion figure may have found its way to North Africa via the Romans and possibly from Sassanian influence. In the outstanding article by Oliver Pinchot, "The Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah" ("Arms Collecting" Vol.40, #1, Feb. 2002) footnote 42, notes, "...the Shir e Khorshid, or Lion and Sun, became the Qajar dynastic crest, in emulation of European models, and remained the Persian state emblem until recently. The lion was also an important icon in pre-Islamic Persia". In the article, it is further noted that the use of the lion pictogram became popular during the increased volume production of trade blades during the Qajar era to allude to the Assad Allah signature, and more commercially superceding the typical cartouches with makers name incised and inlaid with gold or brass. The image of this lion from North Africa does show a marked similarity to the Persian Shir e Khorshid, and in degree to the Ethiopian Lion of Judah, as well as European heraldic lions, and beautifully illustrates the diffusion of artistic symbolism through historic times. Thank you so much for posting this Ward! All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 14th February 2008 at 01:31 PM. Reason: wording

13th February 2008, 07:40 PM	#3
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	almost just like on my new sword :) looks similar Attached Images

14th February 2008, 08:08 AM	#6
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	sword Hello Jim The sword is very similar to one i already have (pictures). However blade is lighter and longer (almost 87cm) The difference in 3 chiseled inscription instead of 2 and some gold work along the blade and also gold inscription which I posted yesterday on forum. I will try to take some pictures of this particular sword during weekend and post on forum. Attached Images

9th February 2008, 09:44 PM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Assad Allah I found this depiction of a lion dates to 3rd-4th century Roman occupation in the Bardo museum in Tunis,Tunisia. It is very close to the the style used in the Assad Allah trade blades. I believe we can infer that this is probaly the earlier form that the symbol is based upon. Attached Images

14th February 2008, 02:11 AM	#4
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Damian that is a nice piece if you had been out of town that day it would have been mine. oh well

14th February 2008, 05:45 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,948	This is a good example of the pictograph discussed Husar! What type of sword is the blade from?