A walrus ivory-hilted sword with scabbard, 18th century, the mounts Persian, the blade and hilt Ottoman, the blade possibly earlier

VAT reduced rateUK: Greenford Park WarehouseRestricted Species

Estimate

60,000 - 80,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the steel cross guard with pierced geometric decoration and gold outline, kilij-type walrus ivory hilt, set with watered-steel older blade bearing inscriptions in gold damascene along the spine on both sides attesting to previous ownership by Suleyman the Magnificent, the leather covered wooden scabbard with steel fittings with pierced geometric decoration, with belt cord

81cm. length with scabbard

This lot contains walrus ivory, which is an endangered species. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid, as lots containing endangered species may be subject to import restrictions in certain countries or necessitate licenses and certificates for export from some and import into others. The possession of an export license or certificate does not guarantee obtaining its counterpart elsewhere. Buyers must ascertain and adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import and export of such items before bidding, securing all necessary licenses and certificates at their expense. The inability to export or import these items, or their seizure by a government agency, does not justify delaying payment or cancelling a sale.

inscriptions

On one side of the blade:

hadha hisam mu'tabar harz li-sultan al-bashar sultan sulayman bin salim ya'tihi al-zafar fi dar al-fath qustantaniyya al-mahmiyya

‘This esteemed sword is a protection for the Sultan of the men, Sultan Suleyman ibn Salim, [May] God give him victory in the Dar al-Fath of Constantinople the Protected.’

On the other side:

Qur'an, surah LXV (al-Talaq), v.2

This sabre is thought to have been offered to the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, Abbas Hilmi II (1874-1944) by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1842-1918). The inscription in gold on the older blade suggests that it comes from a kilij that belonged to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.

For another eighteenth century ivory-hilted Ottoman sword sold in these rooms, see Sotheby’s London, 25 April 2018, lot 166.

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