Ottoman Yataghan - Gold Inscription Translation?

[Robski55]

Greetings

Recently found this 29.5" Ottoman Yataghan.

I am wondering if the Gold inlaid Inscriptions can be translated? Likely Quran verses, but perhaps something more like a name or date in the roundels.

Google thinks it is Persian / Farsi but it doesn't translate properly.

The sword is in pretty good condition and came with a signed 1919 gouache /watercolour painting of the exact Yataghan on laid paper.

Quite a handsome weapon.

Any Help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards
Rob

[Battara]

This is from the Balkans, perhaps Bosnia. Might have belonged to a jannisary. The ivory is walrus ivory with red corals. You even have the seal of Soloman on the blade.

Nice!

[gp]

Excellent find! My respect. ☼☼☼

Indeed as Jose wrote it is from Bosnia, the Balkans ( as the handle / grip or hilt is very similar to the Bosnian ones I have) and my guess about its age: about 200 years old and owned by an important man.

Please allow me to be so bold and give a piece of advise:
clean both the metal and walrus to keep them from deteriorating...
After cleaning also add some oil to :

1. the walruss to "feed" or preserve it longer and stop the breaking line or crackgetting deeper and widening .
2. the copper metal pieces to also avoid "drying out" or oxidation, causing some it to break ( further than already)

as yours is a too beautiful one to let it deteriorate over time....and the copper deserves to shine ☺

It will improve your outstanding yataghan greatly as it did mine.
I shall show some pictures, but you have to be a little patient as I just had a eye operation. Enclosed one picture of mine halfway cleaned last month .
But you can already see the positieve outcome on both the metal and the grip/handle even if it is not completed.


The inscription is in a most beautifull condition and outstanding in both its size/ the amount of scripture as in its caligraphy and indicates having belonged to a quite important owner,
FYI: normally it would be just the name of the maker / smith and just the owner with sometimes his title , approx. 2 lines . But by the amount seen on yours, it is a special made one. Congrats !

FYI: have a look at the collection of the Zagreb museum to compare yours with
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ataghan+zagreb

[Battara]

GP brings out some good points.

I use Johnson's Baby oil for my ivory pieces since it is less acidic.

As for the metals, it would be a good idea to carefully clean off the dirt on them or else they will not just oxidate but corrode the underlying copper structure.

[gp]

Originally Posted by Battara

GP brings out some good points.

I use Johnson's Baby oil for my ivory pieces since it is less acidic.

As for the metals, it would be a good idea to carefully clean off the dirt on them or else they will not just oxidate but corrode the underlying copper structure.

much obliged, I an only fullhearted support this. Found some pics of mine 3/4 cleaned in the way Jose described .
FYI: mine were in exact the same condition as the above uncleaned one ( both bone handle as metal part).
You can compare the above uncleaned one ( first pic below) with my 3/4 cleanded ones and see for yourself...both bone as metal looks better

[gp]

I also would recommend to clean the dirt on the blade close to the golden decoration, this in order to avoid that dirt getting a negative impact on that decoration ...
some of my blades were as dirty as yours

please compare ; the first picture is your uncleaned one versus the others ( my cleaned ones in black and white pics).
Good luck and thumbs up with your very beautiful yataghan !

[Robski55]

Thanks for the responses and the Great Advice.

I just got it, but I will definitely clean and preserve it right away.

Cheers
Rob

[gp]

Originally Posted by Robski55

Thanks for the responses and the Great Advice.

I just got it, but I will definitely clean and preserve it right away.

Cheers
Rob

You’re welcome. Please do show us the result, thank you

[Robski55]

Greetings

I had the gold inscriptions translated by an Ottoman Scholar.

It is the Sword of an High Ranking Janissary Agha.

The Agha of the Janissaries or Janissary Agha (Ottoman Turkish: یڭیچری أغاسی; Turkish: Yeniçeri ağası) was a top Ottoman military official and courtier, and the commander of the Janissary corps.[1] Apart from the commander-general of the entire corps, the title of "Agha of the Janissaries" was also borne by the commanders of provincial garrisons of Janissaries.

The Poem is Incredible!!

I knew the sword was cool but ....

Included a picture of an Agha below.

Next I need to research the Swords owner.


Best Regards
Rob

P.S. The sword has been cleaned and preserved.

[gp]

magnificent ! thanks for posting the outcome of your investigation and citing the beautiful poem !

A true treasure on your hands ! Congratulations

For the ones interested more into the Janissars to get a little insight , this book is to be recommended:

"Memoirs of a Janissary" by Konstantin Mihailović

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robski55

P.S. The sword has been cleaned and preserved.

Are you willing to share pictures of the cleaned sword?

Regards,
Detlef

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
This silver mounted one of mine may also be of interest. The translation was done quite some time ago. If anybody can decipher anything new or rectify any mistakes if indeed there are any re the translation I would be most grateful. The blade has been cleaned since these old photographs and the decoration is actually silver inlay.
Regards,
Norman.


Translation,
amel-i Ömer, sahib Halil Ağa / made by Ömer, owner Halil Agha

Devleteyn babına olsun ey mir-i mu'teber / Let both this world and the other be at your door, O beloved Emir

Düşmanın bağrını delsin daima bu tığ-ı teber / Let this sword always pierce the bosom of your enemy

[gp]

FYI: the Seven Sleepers are very import in the region and its religion(s).
More info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sleepers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_o...Seven_Sleepers
https://www.turkishmuseums.com/blog/...eepers/10119/4

Both poem and all the reference are proof Robski55 yataghan to be a most beautiful and import yataghan.
Great to see and much obliged for showing us this yataghan and the belonging info !!!

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
This may be of interest although as you are aware honest mistakes can be made in compiling such a list from the available historical references.
Regards,
Norman.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Janissary_Aghas

[Robski55]

Here are some photos of the Sword after Cleaning and preservation. There were some areas of Gold inlay loss that looked like dirt. There is some brown toning on the blade and it does not come off (Not Rust). This is as far as i am willing to clean it to preserve the age/patina.

I am only presenting what the translation has brought to light. As a non Turkish speaker everything I am saying is my interpretation only.

All I know is that this is one of the finest swords in my collection.

I bought it because it is beautiful and I knew there was an interesting story behind it.

Cheers
Rob

[gp]

great job done; my compliments! The brown toning can also be cleaned, but don't go further than you want to.

Looks great (the metal piece of the grip and the state of the bone) and with pleasure and admiration I do look at the pics of your yataghan; a real museum piece!!!