SIGNED KABIR IBN HUSAYN, ZAND IRAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Details

A LAPIS LAZULI-HILTED AND GOLD-DAMASCENED WATERED-STEEL DAGGER (KARD)
SIGNED KABIR IBN HUSAYN, ZAND IRAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY
Of typical form, the blade with reinforced tip, gold-damascened with calligraphic inscriptions within rising palmette, the doubled fuller spine engraved with an elegant floral spray below a damascened roundel, the hilt with lapis-lazuli grip
14 5/8in. (37.4cm.) long

Engraved

On one side of the blade, part of Qur'an LXI, sura al-saff, v.13, 'Help from God and a speedy victory. Proclaim the good tidings to the faithful' and the maker's name
On the other side, Qur'an XII, sura yusuf, v.64, 'But God is the best of guardians, and of all those that show mercy. He is the most merciful'

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Sara Plumbly

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Lot Essay

The watering of the blade and its engraving with a gold damascened lobed medallion echoes the work found on a kard made by Ghulam 'Abbas Shah, swordsmith to the Afsharid ruler Nadir Shah Afshar (r. 1736-47 AD), which sold at Christie's South Kensington, 10 April 2014, lot 94. Both daggers share an intricate floral spray rising from a baluster vase within a lobed pointed niche engraved on the blade spine by the ricasso. The skilful forging and carving, the harmony and the shared floral detail on the ridge of the present blade, indicates its production the same court.

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