TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY, THE BLUE GLASS HILT PROBABLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

AN OTTOMAN CIRCUMCISION KNIFE WITH GEM SET SILVER-GILT AND IVORY SCABBARD
TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY, THE BLUE GLASS HILT PROBABLY 19TH CENTURY
The watered-steel blade with etched inscription, remnants of gilding and three coral beads set into the blade, gilt stellar motifs on the spine, the ivory and silver-gilt scabbard set with turquoise and coloured gem-stones, mother-of-pearl and metal in circular and stellar motifs, with later facetted blue glass hilt
Knife 7 ¾in. (19.7cm.); scabbard 6 7/8in. (17.5cm.)

Provenance

Anon. sale; Sotheby's, London, 22 April 2015, lot 255.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. 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.

Brought to you by

Louise Broadhurst

lbroadhurst@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2603

Lot Essay

A highly unusual feature of this knife is the shape of the blade, with almost dead straight blade, the spine curving down to meet it at the tip. This form is found on two comparable knives, one sold in these rooms (Christie's, London, 26 April 2005, lot 152), the other in the British Museum (inv.no. ME OA 1996 1-17.1). Even more unusual are the three coral beads set into the blade. A miniature sword in the Walters Art Museum (inv.no. 51.79) and a gem set nephrite-hilted knife sold in these Rooms, 12 April 2016, lot 191, bear a similar design, although with rubies and emeralds.

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