Yataghan
Ottoman
Ottoman Empire (Balkans - Turkey)
1825/26
Steel, gold, silver, copper, ivory
Blade: 60,3cm
Hilt & Blade: 76,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 95

Ex. James Adam's and Sons: Dublin, Ireland (2019)

A Fine Ottoman yataghan, possibly from the Balkans from style and decoration with a Turkish blade made in Istanbul. The steel blade is very well forged with a single- edge, recurved in form and upcurving near the point. A single deep fuller follows below the spine. Both sides of the blade present elaborate gold koftgari work, each side differing in decoration of paneled scripts and scrolled motifs. One side with a cartouche of Arabic script roughly translated as, " Do not approach my side, for you will be cut by my sword of punishment, on seeing the wound, you will urgently seek a doctor." The cartouche in gold Arabic below, "Manav Ali Agha - Zade Salih" (Salih, son of Manav Ali Agha). In Ottoman Turkey, Agha was an honorific title used for military commanders and high- ranking court servants.

The spine is beveled with a central forged line and dated in Hijri, gold koftgari of "(1)241", corresponding to 1825/6 in Gregorian. The hilt carved from the inner core of walrus tusk with two large ears, minor cracks existing. The bolster and backstrap heavily decorated in silver granuled studs, ornaments, and filigree, with copper gilding.

A very fine yataghan with an outstanding blade signed and dated. Missing its sheath, which would have extensively been in similar fashion, likely of silver repoussé compared with closely related examples. From the form of the ears and decoration of the bolster, it may be Balkan or Greek. An example with almost an identical blade dated to 1241, probably made by the same maker, is in the Hermitage Collection, with the blade being attributed to Istanbul.

[1] Obratzsov, Vsevolod. 2015. “Oriental Arms and Armour in the Hermitage Collection”. Page 76 (Blade)

[2] https://oriental-arms.com/product/silver-mounted-ottoman-balkan-yataghan-sword/

[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4430

[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1186

[5] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/fine-ottoman-yatagan-dated-1809