A Persian shamshir sword. The blade of this sword is big and heavy and likely to date to the 17th or early 18th century. Signed at the top with a lion cartouche and a panel of arabic with the maker Assad Allah inlaid with gold. The wootz steel blade of this sword is very fine and clear and display the rare pattern ‘Kirk Narduban’ the ladder of the prophet or ‘Mohammed’s ladder’ which displays as a regular banded pattern along the blade. The crossguard is of steel with some silver overlaid decoration, horn and silver grips with silver panels and a silvered steel pommel. Circa 1700
A fine and interesting early Persian or Central Asian War Axe Tabar or ‘Tabarzin’. This piece is significant in its weight and size, the steel axehead itself is deeply decorated in relief with scenes of a mounted warrior amongst animals and trees, presumably made from wootz steel. The mounting of the axe is most unusual, below the head is a fine quality Chinese archers ring of Jade, which appears to be early Qing Dynasty in date. The top and bottom shaft mounts are of thick silver, exquisitely chiselled with geometric borders and flowers, suggesting a Central Asian Uzbek or Bukharan origin. The shaft itself is unusually carved in a series of spirals which adds a most dramatic appearance to the piece.
Very nice Tibetan shortsword from Kham. An antique Dagger from Tibet Kham Province, China. Typical steel cap with projections, brass bound grip. The scabbard strikingly designed with ridges of steel and green dyed leather. The blade of tapering triangular form made from linear laminated steels. 18th or early 19th century
Very interesting and eyecatching Sudanese war mace with heavy steel flanges. The whole steel flanges, and shaft covered with etched Thuluth magical calligraphy and the mid shaft covered with yellow crocodile hide, used during the Mahdist wars late 19th century. 55 cms. The mahdist forces were finally defeated by the British at Omdurman
Rare pair of Chinese heavy bronze Sai Jian bar maces. The blades of thick four sided section concave to each face to form a sharp edge on each corner. The handles ending with ball finials and grips wrapped with fabric. Very rare coming with original double leather sheath, each mace weighing over 2 kgs, together nearly 4.5 kgs, each mace 63 cms long
Fine Persian lancehead wootz steel and gold damascened shaft. The blade of good wootz steel raised central rib. Lower mounts finely decorated with gold, the shaft chamfered. 19th century. 48 cms
Set of Persian Jarid darts or throwing javelins in scabbard. The darts of steel twisted decoration and traces of engraving and gold detail, the scabbard of greenish leather sewn to reverse. Steel mounts with traces of engraved decoration with patterns of goldwork. Some minor damage to wood, only two darts present. 19th century. Rare item, 81 cms in sheath, 74 cms long darts