Karabela? Persian? Balkan?

Radu Transylvanicus · 22nd July 2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Why do we call it Karabela if it is Persian?
As far as I know, the name Karabela is of European origin, mostly Polish.
What about Hungary or the Balkans?

All people of the Balkans pretty much reffer to it as "Karabela" and the only thing different I can help you with is that sometimes the type of cossguard is named "shariban", meaning moustache, hence the striking resemblance with a French chef's upper lip

. The most important elements are the crossguard and then the eagle head pommel, not necesarilly the blade which can be straight and still qualify as a karabella.
Generalising many museums reffer to them as Pallasch (German) palasz (Hungarian) Palos (Romanian pron. palosh) or Pala or Palah past the East borders of Europe. Its a very vague and arguable therm but nonetheless, not incorrect.
INMHO I see a posibility of this Karabela not being Persian, have you asked Wolviex yet?
Probably seven out of ten karabelas in Europe are Polish, the rest mostly in Hungarian kingdom or vassal princely states like Transylvania, where most of karabellas comming from Persia were rehilted and bejewelled like the famous one for Miklos Zrinyi, from 16th century completely covered in thick gold and gems, work done in Transylvania but sword was traded from Persia;today part of the Collection of Hungarian National Museum in Budapest.
I heard the therm "Qaddara" used by Persian and Ottoman in conjunction with the karabelas sources if I remember correctly but to confuse us further the therm is also asociated with the kindjals. Others, mostly when from Persian-Mughal-Afghan parts reffer to it as "Poulwar", I heard that one many times and I preffer it; therefore keeping matters simple: if Eastearn European or Turkish is a "karabela" or if loose features, safely stick with "palasch" and if further Middle East or Indian subcontinent to me is a "poulwar"
The Golden age of the karabela was in the 17th & 18th century when most nobles would own at least two of them, one for war and one for parade, a lighter and more ostentaciously decorated version.

ariel · 22nd July 2006, 08:12 PM

You are right: that is what it's called in Europe.
But what about Turkey or Iran?

Radu Transylvanicus · 22nd July 2006, 08:18 PM

youre too fast. I was still updating my post while you answered

Radu Transylvanicus · 22nd July 2006, 08:29 PM

I see this Karabela as being possibly Ottoman rather than Persian. The good thing is that this one could definatelly be called a karabella, not much of a hybrid with other types. Like stated already I dont see much Caucasian features in it.

S.Al-Anizi · 22nd July 2006, 10:36 PM

The blade is almost certainly not persian, whilst the hilt is Persian I think, qajar, with those quillions and the hilt motif.

22nd July 2006, 08:12 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	You are right: that is what it's called in Europe. But what about Turkey or Iran?

22nd July 2006, 08:18 PM	#3
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	youre too fast. I was still updating my post while you answered

22nd July 2006, 08:29 PM	#4
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	I see this Karabela as being possibly Ottoman rather than Persian. The good thing is that this one could definatelly be called a karabella, not much of a hybrid with other types. Like stated already I dont see much Caucasian features in it.

22nd July 2006, 10:36 PM	#5
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	The blade is almost certainly not persian, whilst the hilt is Persian I think, qajar, with those quillions and the hilt motif.