Turko- Persian Kard
Turko- Persian Kard
Turko- Persia ( Eastern Iran - Turkmenistan)
Qajar Dynasty - Khanate of Kiva
Ca. 1800
Steel, gold, ivory
Blade: 26cm (Including bolster)
Hilt & Blade: 36,5cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Number: 262
Collection Date: 2022
Ex. Harry Wagner Collection: Columbus, Ohio, USA (2022)
A fine kard of Turko- Persian origin displaying features found in both Iran and Turkmenistan. Two similar examples found in museums and literature are dated to 1800 and 1807. The single- edged steel blade is very thick and heavy, straight form with the bottom edge slighly upcurving to a point. Entirely composed of a low contrast wootz. Gold damascened scroll zarneshan motifs (raised gold overlay technique) decorate each side in swirling patterns within a gold bordered panel. The multi- faceted integral steel bolster is seen on both Persian and Turkmen kards, but without the sheath present, it is hard to decipher more specific origins. Many sheaths of similar kards have Central Asian styling of silver and turquoise. The scale grips are composed of the inner core of walrus ivory, displaying beautiful marbling effects. Unfortunately, the steel backstrap (ah anak) is now missing as well as its sheath. It remains a very good example of Eastern Perisan - Central Asian weaponry.
[1] Manouchehr, Moshtagh Khorasani. 2006/ “Arms and Armor from Iran”. Page 611. Cat. 248
[2] Pinchot, Oliver S. 2014. “Arms of the Paladins”. Page 29. Cat. 3-23
[3] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25007
[4] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3197
[5] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1759
[6] http://oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3715