IRAN, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details

A QAJAR GOLD DAMASCENED AND ENGRAVED DERVISH'S AXE
IRAN, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY
The blade of typical crescent form made of finely watered steel, each side with central shaped cartouche engraved with two dervishes smoking, in cusped surround, a band of elegant naskh gold inscription below, a band of cusped band of trefoils around the edge, the hammer end of the blade also finely engraved with Nur 'Ali Shah in a silver damascened frame, on tubular steel shaft with silver damascened upper knop, the lower end of the tubular shaft unscrewing to reveal a long square section spike
31in. (79cm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The gold verse reads:
in jawhar tabari keh be-kaf-e mah-e anvar ast
shayesteh-ye hozur-e bozorgan-e keshvar ast
la fata illa 'ali la sayf illa dhu'l-faghar
ta nagu'i ya 'ali rawnaq nagirad hich kar

"This gem-like axe that is like a luminous moon in one's palm
Is worthy of the presence of the nobles of the country
There is no youth [as brave as] 'Ali, no sword [as sharp as] dhu'l-faqar
There is no splendour in any work unless you say: O 'Ali !"

A very similar axe, although without the gold verses, is in the Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia (Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia, 2001, pp.254-5).

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