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LOT 1121
Ghaznavid Iron Knife with Calligraphic Inlays
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
12 3/8 in. (91 grams, 31.5 cm).
Composed of a C-shaped socketted hilt and slender blade with single cutting edge slightly curved towards the tip; the outer face of the socket, the top edge and one side of the blade inlaid with gilt inscription, the other side of the blade displaying two gilt felines. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceLondon collection since the 1980s.
Property of a Canadian family.
Cf. Bashir, M., The Arts of the Muslim Knight, The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, Milano, 2008, p.143, for the dagger type.
FootnotesThe gilding process used on the blade seems to be an exceptionally rare example of what was known in medieval Islamic literary sources as ‘gold water’. The blade seems to have been decorated with a Kufic inscription to three sides. It bears witness to the extraordinary sophistication of the metalworkers and jewellers of this period.
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AUCTIONS:
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North-West Persian Bronze Dagger Blade
Late 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 464 grams, 52.2 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. -
North Western Persian Bronze Arrowhead Group
12th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising six tanged arrowheads, five with large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, one with oval shoulders, all with sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft. 145 grams total, 8-15 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Some of these arrowheads seems to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders. -
Medieval Iron Hand and Half Sword with Polyhedral Pommel
Late 14th-early 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Of Oakeshott's Type XVIIIa or b, cross style 11, pommel style I1; strongly tapering pointed blade with straight edges and evident battle nicks; straight cross guard, long grip and an octagonal pommel. 1.26 kg, 1 m
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This magnificent example was well-suited to a cut-and-thrust style of fighting, a logical development of the Oakeshott XVI typology. This is mainly visible in the specimens of typology XVIIIb, typical of English effigies and brasses between 1370-1425. Because the previous types of swords were practically useless against the fully armoured man-at-arms, Western European warfare needed a sword capable of piercing the weak points of the enemy's protective equipment, leading to the development of types XV, XVI and XVII, and eventually of type XVIII. The subtypes XVIIIa and b had a longer blade, and type XVIIIb was a very long-gripped bastard sword. This word (often referred to as ‘hand-and-a-half sword’) was applied through the late Middle Ages to the long-gripped weapons. Marc de Vulson, writing on the occasion of a duel fought in 1549 before Henry II of France, stated 'Deux epées bâtardes, pouvant servir à une main ou à deux' (two bastard swords able to serve with one hand or with two).
