Khindjal for comment

Royston · 25th February 2009, 12:33 PM

Comments would be welcome on this piece.
Any suggestions on origin ?

Ivory hilt, patterned blade. It is a good, well made piece but plain enough I think to have been usable.

Looks as though it may be 1842 vintage

Anyone know what the script says ? I appologise if it is upside down.

Thanks

Royston

TVV · 25th February 2009, 05:03 PM

Lovely kindjal Royston, thanks for sharing!
When it comes to kindjals it has always been hard for me to distinguish between the subtle regional variations within the Caucasus. What is even more interesting is the presence of scripts in Russian and Arabic. Hopefully someone will be able to translate the latter, but I am guessing it is a name.
Regards,
Teodor

ward · 26th February 2009, 12:33 AM

It says TIFLIS in Arabic, that's where it was made. Then 1842 with YEAR written in Russian. Nice one

Royston · 26th February 2009, 02:38 PM

Thanks Gentlemen

Excuse my ignorance of this region, but why would the Town's name be written in Arabic rather than Cyrillic ?

Royston

CharlesS · 2nd March 2009, 12:52 AM

Royston,

Keep in mind that many of the ethnic groups from this region are devoutly Muslim.

In my mind that date, as written, indicates the Russian influence combined with the Arabic alphabet.

Really no shocker at all for the region.

BTW, a lovely and unique example, and one of the most interesting ones I have seen in some time.

25th February 2009, 12:33 PM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Khindjal for comment Comments would be welcome on this piece. Any suggestions on origin ? Ivory hilt, patterned blade. It is a good, well made piece but plain enough I think to have been usable. Looks as though it may be 1842 vintage Anyone know what the script says ? I appologise if it is upside down. Thanks Royston Attached Images

25th February 2009, 05:03 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,615	Lovely kindjal Royston, thanks for sharing! When it comes to kindjals it has always been hard for me to distinguish between the subtle regional variations within the Caucasus. What is even more interesting is the presence of scripts in Russian and Arabic. Hopefully someone will be able to translate the latter, but I am guessing it is a name. Regards, Teodor

26th February 2009, 12:33 AM	#3
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	It says TIFLIS in Arabic, that's where it was made. Then 1842 with YEAR written in Russian. Nice one

26th February 2009, 02:38 PM	#4
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Thanks Gentlemen Excuse my ignorance of this region, but why would the Town's name be written in Arabic rather than Cyrillic ? Royston

2nd March 2009, 12:52 AM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Royston, Keep in mind that many of the ethnic groups from this region are devoutly Muslim. In my mind that date, as written, indicates the Russian influence combined with the Arabic alphabet. Really no shocker at all for the region. BTW, a lovely and unique example, and one of the most interesting ones I have seen in some time.