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A Silver Saif.
Made for the Arab market.
Late 19th century.
Gilt silver and steel blade.
99cm long.
A tapering plain steel blade of this single edged steel saif or sword with a silver hilt and scabbard. The hilt features a scalloped top and a roundel on each side with Arabic inscriptions. The knuckle chain is connected to the hilt. The hilt and scabbard have finely engraved and gilt decoration. The middle section of the scabbard has diagonal bands of decoration. The chape of the scabbard ends in a similar scalloped edge, showing a careful symmetry with the hilt. The word ‘saif’ is meant to describe not a type of sword necessarily, but as a word commonly used for swords. A small inscription can be found on the edge of the mount. It reads as
سعادات تجد[د] كل يوم واقبال على رغم الحسودي [كذا]
‘May felicities and good fortune be renewed (for you) every day in spite of the envious.’
This is a variant on a verse from The 1001 Nights (Kitab Alf Layla wa-Layla, vol. 1, Bulaq, 1256/1835, p. 57).
The roundel one side reads as
وما توفيقي الا بالله عليه توكلت
‘And my success can only come from God. In Him I trust.’ (part of Qur’an 11:88) and on the other side suggests the maker’s name
شغل (؟) حمادي علي ...
‘Work of Hammadi ‘Ali …’
Comparative material:
Hales, Robert. Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion. 2013, p. 236.
The BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
