ËœAN OTTOMAN SWORD (KILIG), TURKEY, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

with curved slender blade of wootz steel, formed with a long fuller on each face and a pair of slender grooves along the back-edge at the point, chiselled with a scrollwork panel against a matted gilt ground at the latter and the base of the fuller on each face, the forte inlaid in gold with a calligraphic panel framed by gold scrollwork on one face and with a brief inscription enclosed by a pair of fronds on the other, wootz steel hilt including quillons with flowerhead terminals chiselled in the round, chiselled with foliage against a matted gilt ground, the front with a tughra and a spray of foliage, fitted with a pair of rhinoceros horn grip scales (insect damage), in its leather-covered wooden scabbard with chape, locket and two middle-bands all of wootz steel, the latter two each with a loop for suspension, and all decorated en suite with the hilt

82.5 cm; 32 1/2 in blade

Provenance On loan to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (1936-2022), inv. no. 54-264 The inscriptions on the blade read, in the large cartouche: 'la fata illa 'ali la sayf illa dhu'l-faqar' (There is no hero but 'Ali, no sword but Dhu'l-Faqar); between the fronds 'ma sha'a allah' (Whatsover God wills). The Tughra on the guard does not read properly.