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A Sword (Shamshir) with Watered-Steel Blade Signed Asadullah, Persia, 17th Century, with later Hilt and Silver Scabbard, Turkey, 20th century
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
the fine watered steel blade with two cartouches on one face with inscriptions in gold, the later silver and horn hilt and silver scabbard chased and engraved with flowers and leaves, two rings for suspension, stamped on the scabbard in a kind of tughra 'Abd al-Razzaq Maridan
Condition
blade in fine condition, mounted in later hilt and scabbard, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
bande-ye shah-e velayat 'abbas
'The servant of the King of trusteeship 'Abbas'
The legend on the seal of the Safavid king Shah 'Abbas (995-1038/1587-1629)
amal-e asadulla
'Work of Asadullah'
The signature is gold-overlaid on the blade and is similar to an Asadullah Isfahani signature found on the blade of a shamshir from the Military Museum, Tehran (see Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran, Tübingen, 2006, p.157, cat. 74).
Mystery still surrounds the name of Asadullah: whether he represents a single person or a title given to Iranian swordsmiths who had attained a certain level of mastery. Asadullah means literally 'Lion of God', and is one of the titles given to imam 'Ali.