Interesting kaskara with brass hilt and rounded tip

Edster · 14th December 2011, 02:12 AM

Very nice sword. My guess it was made in Egypt as a presentation piece. Makers used Mamluk style grip and cross guard to simulate a Sudanese kaskara. Virtually no design elements suggest to me a Sudanese origin.

Regards,
Ed

Atlantia · 14th December 2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

Very nice sword. My guess it was made in Egypt as a presentation piece. Makers used Mamluk style grip and cross guard to simulate a Sudanese kaskara. Virtually no design elements suggest to me a Sudanese origin.

Regards,
Ed

Ah, I thought that at a distance the metalwork on the hilt looked Egyptian. Be interesting to compare the decoration with other pieces of that period.
Anyone got a link to the auction pictures?

Iain · 14th December 2011, 11:50 AM

Sadly that was the only auction picture I'm aware of. I'd forgotten to include the provenance, thanks Stephen.

I'd also wondered about an Egyptian connection, the style does seem fairly classic Mamluk? In particular the scabbard construction is certainly not normal for Sudanese swords.

If these are presentation pieces... I have to wonder if they are entirely from the early 20th century to cater to British tastes... Or if there is some old example which could give some insight instead into the influences the Sudanese swords themselves draw on? The question of course is, was the example in this thread made for the British gentleman who took it home? Or something older...

Here is the other example of the style I'm aware of - from the AMNH online collections. Donated to the museum in 1974. Interestingly there seems to be a engraving or stamp on the blade near the guard.

Gavin Nugent · 14th December 2011, 02:26 PM

Here are some hilt detail images, I hope they help your discussions.

Iain · 14th December 2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks Gav, that answers a lot of questions for me. The entire thing looks rather new...

I guess then this was a "made for export" item. Still an interesting hybrid of influences.

Lew · 14th December 2011, 03:39 PM

Iian

I remember seeing an old picture of one of the Egyptian Pashas with this type of sword. I will look for it in my archives.

Iain · 14th December 2011, 03:42 PM

Thanks Lew, would be very interested to see that! A small flicker of hope remains then there is something more to this style.

14th December 2011, 11:50 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Sadly that was the only auction picture I'm aware of. I'd forgotten to include the provenance, thanks Stephen. I'd also wondered about an Egyptian connection, the style does seem fairly classic Mamluk? In particular the scabbard construction is certainly not normal for Sudanese swords. If these are presentation pieces... I have to wonder if they are entirely from the early 20th century to cater to British tastes... Or if there is some old example which could give some insight instead into the influences the Sudanese swords themselves draw on? The question of course is, was the example in this thread made for the British gentleman who took it home? Or something older... Here is the other example of the style I'm aware of - from the AMNH online collections. Donated to the museum in 1974. Interestingly there seems to be a engraving or stamp on the blade near the guard. Attached Images

14th December 2011, 02:26 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	hilt detail Here are some hilt detail images, I hope they help your discussions. Attached Images

14th December 2011, 02:12 AM	#1
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 415	Very nice sword. My guess it was made in Egypt as a presentation piece. Makers used Mamluk style grip and cross guard to simulate a Sudanese kaskara. Virtually no design elements suggest to me a Sudanese origin. Regards, Ed

14th December 2011, 03:14 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks Gav, that answers a lot of questions for me. The entire thing looks rather new... I guess then this was a "made for export" item. Still an interesting hybrid of influences.

14th December 2011, 03:39 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Iian I remember seeing an old picture of one of the Egyptian Pashas with this type of sword. I will look for it in my archives.

14th December 2011, 03:42 PM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Thanks Lew, would be very interested to see that! A small flicker of hope remains then there is something more to this style.