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a close up of two swords on a black backgroundan image of a very old knife on a black backgroundtwo old swords are shown against a black backgrounda close up of a knife on a black backgrounda close up of a knife on a black background with a black backgrounda close up of a knife on a black backgrounda knife that is sitting on a black surface
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1264 - A - OTTOMAN SABRE WITH GERMAN (SOLINGEN) EXPORT BLADE, EARLY 19T…

Estimate £3,000 - £6,000
Sale commission
Description
OTTOMAN SABRE WITH GERMAN (SOLINGEN) EXPORT BLADE, EARLY 19TH C. Ca. 19th century AD. With curved single-edged blade of flattened wedge section, formed with a narrow fuller along the back edge towards the forte and a short reinforced false edge near the point, etched on both sides at the forte with panels of foliate ornament enclosing a turbaned figure in Ottoman dress within an architectural cartouche, surmounted by a calligraphic roundel, all within scrolling foliage on a matted ground. The hilt of characteristic Ottoman form, comprising a steel grip of pistol form, integral with a short crossguard with slender quillons of rectangular section, each terminating in downturned bud-shaped finials, and with langets extending over the forte, the surfaces retaining traces of engraved foliate decoration. In its original wooden scabbard, covered in black leather, with iron locket and middle band each fitted with suspension rings, and a matching iron chape. Sabres of this type were produced in considerable numbers in Solingen for export to the Ottoman Empire and its territories during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The distinctive etched decoration incorporating a turbaned figure, together with pseudo-Islamic calligraphic motifs and foliate panels, is characteristic of German export blades intended to appeal to Ottoman taste. Such blades were frequently mounted locally or regionally in Ottoman-style hilts and scabbards. Comparable examples are preserved in the collections of the Deutsches Klingenmuseum, Solingen, and the Military Museum, Istanbul, and are discussed in: Bezdek, Richard H., German Swords and Sword Makers, Boulder, 2000; Elgood, Robert, Islamic Arms and Armour, London, 1979; Wagner, Eduard, Cut and Thrust Weapons, London, 1967. Length 98.9 cm. Size: 1030mm x 110mm; Weight: 1.15kg. Provenance: Property of European collector; Ex. UK private collection, 1990s. This item has been checked against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
About the sale FINE ANCIENT ART AND ANTIQUITIES - THE PRINCE COLLECTION
Auction location
Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits:
Apollo Art Auctions Ltd
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