An Ottoman Meç (Estoc) Sword, Turkey, 17th Century
Auction Closed
April 29, 12:32 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the long helicoidal square-section steel blade with chiselled and engraved arabesques to the forte, set into a wooden hilt silver-inlaid with foliage and flowers including tulips, with large lobed hexagonal guard, set with turquoise and decorated with floral motifs, with spherical silver pommel, fluted and chased with flowerheads, with attached polygonal finial
131cm.
Philippe Missillier Collection no.34C
Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, London: Robert Hales C.I. Ltd, 2013, p.208, no.506 (illustrated)
This form of Ottoman sword is very rare. The equivalent European form is the estoc. George C. Stone describes the long, narrow quadrangular form of the blade as used for thrusting only (George C. Stone, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armour in All Countries and in All Times, reprinted New York: Jack Brussel, 1961, pp.222-3, ‘Estoc’).
An Ottoman meç or estoc set with turquoises bears the tughra stamps of Murad IV (r. 1623-40) (Iparmüvészeti Museum, Budapest, inv. no.E60.8; Garo Kürkman, Ottoman Silver Marks, Istanbul: Mathusalem Publications, 1996, p.136).
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