Arabian hilted Shamshir

ariel · 4th December 2004, 03:26 AM

Please note the "agrab" (scorpion) motif at the very top of the scabbard: the stylized "jaws" lie on either side of the langet and the "tail/sting" part follows the line of the blade. Elgood describes it in detail and also notices that it may serve yet another purpose: warding off the "evil eye". This is done by portraying something repellent on the desirable object or else by means of attaching a shiny object to reflect the malice.
Similar purpose is served by brass carvings on the hilt of the Moroccan Nimcha and, I presume, by the coin on the handle of the Moro kampilan.

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4th December 2004, 03:26 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Please note the "agrab" (scorpion) motif at the very top of the scabbard: the stylized "jaws" lie on either side of the langet and the "tail/sting" part follows the line of the blade. Elgood describes it in detail and also notices that it may serve yet another purpose: warding off the "evil eye". This is done by portraying something repellent on the desirable object or else by means of attaching a shiny object to reflect the malice. Similar purpose is served by brass carvings on the hilt of the Moroccan Nimcha and, I presume, by the coin on the handle of the Moro kampilan.