3198

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    Ottoman Kard with Green Nephrite Hilt & Chased Silver Scabbard

    Ottoman Turkey
    19th century

    length: 37.2cm, weight: 275g

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    Provenance

    private collection

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This fine Turkish-Ottoman kard dagger comprises a single-edged, slightly curvy, watered steel blade which ends in a sharp point; a hilt or handle of green nephrite; and a very fine silver scabbard.

    The blade is overlaid with gold with trellised palmette and trefoil motifs on both sides in the ricasso area, along with panels of nasta’liq script further down the blade.

    The scabbard is of thick silver over a wooden core. The silver has been chiselled all over with dense foliage and flower motifs. The chape is vaguely zoomorphic and upturned like a makara or dragon’s snout. The top of the scabbard is flattened and engraved with a row of repeated flower patterns.

    The scabbard is engraved with an Ottoman Tughra silver control mark.

    The hilt of a single piece of rounded and otherwise unadorned mottled nephrite has a tang button cover inset with alternating turquoise and ruby cabochons (one ruby deficient).

    Kards were used as offensive weapons in the Ottoman empire, and in northern India.

    The kard here is in excellent condition.

    References

    Caravana, J. et al, Rites of Power: Oriental Weapons: Collection of Jorge Caravana, Caleidoscopio, 2010.

    Hales, R., Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime’s Passion, Robert Hale CI Ltd, 2013.

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