Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
A gold-hilted sword (saif) and scabbard, Arabian Peninsula, circa 1900
Auction Closed
October 27, 03:41 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the curved steel blade with flat back edge, hilt of typical shamshir form, worked in gold with applied wire-work and filigree scrolling geometric design, cross-guard with stylised floral motifs and bud-form quillons, fine chain running between hilt and cross-guard, leather-covered wood scabbard mounted with gold metal lock decorated en-suite, the gilt metal chape and suspension loops with chased and engraved floral designs
100cm.
This lot should not bear a Warehouse symbol and will remain at New Bond Street after the sale.
This Arabian saif (curved sword) applied with gold mounts was most probably intended as a presentation gift. A comparable sword is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, presented to Lord Athlone in 1928 by Ibn Saud (see Elgood 1994, p.22, no.2.18). A similar sword was sold in these rooms, 6 October 2010, lot 303.