- 130
A fine Safavid watered-steel dagger (kard) with walrus ivory hilt dedicated to Shah Suleyman (r.1666-94), Persia, 17th century
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gold and steel
the straight watered-steel blade chiselled around the forte on both sides with lobed cartouches of scrolling foliage and split palmettes, with gold-damascened inscriptions, the spine with arabesque and finely chiselled cartouches, some containing inscriptions on a gold ground, reinforced armour piercing point, the ivory grips with metal khatamkari inscriptions, the leather scabbard with silver chape
Condition
In overall good condition, some minor oxidisation to blade, 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
The inscription on the handle consists of: be-nam-e-soltan-e jahan/ shah solryman-e safavi or “In the name of the Sultan of the World, Shah Suleyman the Safavid”; and on the blade: Qur’an surah hud (XI), parts of 88, surah: surah al-‘umran (III), parts of 126; surah al-saff (LXI), parts of 13 and invocations to God.
Shah Suleyman Safavi (r. 1666 – 94) was the son of Shah ‘Abbas II. After it was declared that he assumed the throne at an inauspicious time he received a second coronation whereupon he claimed the title Suleyman III. The event was recorded by the French polyglot and traveller John Chardin who had been appointed a royal merchant by Shah ‘Abbas II and was granted unrivalled access to the Safavid court for a foreigner (J. Chardin, Le Couronnement de Soleïmaan Troisiéme, Roy de Perse, Imperial Organization for Social Services, Reprint, 1976).
The earliest example of a kard of this type so far recorded is 1024AH/1615-16AD in the Tanavoli Collection (see Allan and Gilmour 2000, p. 153, no.A10). Other related examples are to be found in the Khalili Collection (Alexander 1992, no.83) and in a private collection in Germany (Hamburg 1993, p. 196, no. 135).
The inscription on the handle consists of: be-nam-e-soltan-e jahan/ shah solryman-e safavi or “In the name of the Sultan of the World, Shah Suleyman the Safavid”; and on the blade: Qur’an surah hud (XI), parts of 88, surah: surah al-‘umran (III), parts of 126; surah al-saff (LXI), parts of 13 and invocations to God.
Shah Suleyman Safavi (r. 1666 – 94) was the son of Shah ‘Abbas II. After it was declared that he assumed the throne at an inauspicious time he received a second coronation whereupon he claimed the title Suleyman III. The event was recorded by the French polyglot and traveller John Chardin who had been appointed a royal merchant by Shah ‘Abbas II and was granted unrivalled access to the Safavid court for a foreigner (J. Chardin, Le Couronnement de Soleïmaan Troisiéme, Roy de Perse, Imperial Organization for Social Services, Reprint, 1976).
The earliest example of a kard of this type so far recorded is 1024AH/1615-16AD in the Tanavoli Collection (see Allan and Gilmour 2000, p. 153, no.A10). Other related examples are to be found in the Khalili Collection (Alexander 1992, no.83) and in a private collection in Germany (Hamburg 1993, p. 196, no. 135).