THE BLADE SIGNED 'ABDULLAH HAYDAR (?), BALKANS, PROBABLY FOCA, BOSNIA, DATED AH 1220/1805-6 AD

Details

AN OTTOMAN CORAL-INSET PARCEL-GILT YATAGHAN
THE BLADE SIGNED 'ABDULLAH HAYDAR (?), BALKANS, PROBABLY FOCA, BOSNIA, DATED AH 1220/1805-6 AD
The single-edged blade of typical slightly curving form and tapering at point, the hilt with a protruding pommel with faceted ears, the grip inset with nine beads of red coralium rubrum coral, the blade signed and dated and inscribed in loose silver naskh script inlaid to the blade, with owner's name reading Mustafa bin Ahmad, the scabbard with repoussé silver mounts worked with dense floral motifs, the top with silver-gilt filigree mounts and red coralium rubrum coral insets, with red velvet cover, the top mounts loose, some corrosion and minor damage, otherwise in fair condition
31¼in. (79.5cm.) long

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

The silver-inlaid inscription along the blade gives the names of the Seven Sleepers: 'Aliha, Mekshalina, Mathlina, Merthuke, Kafkshattiush, Shadnush and Marnush. The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus refers to a group of young Christian who hid inside a cave to esapce a persecution. Having fallen asleep inside the cave, they purportedly awoke more than a century later. The story, very popular in the Islamic world, is reported in the Qur'an (Qur'an XVIII, sura al-kahf).

For a similar yataghan see Robert Elgood, The Arms of Greece and her Balkan Neighbours in the Ottoman Period, London, 2009, cat.157, p.139.

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