Historic Saudi sabre sells for $1 m

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Hello Ibrahiim,

Certainly, the famous AA signature was copied for centuries and cannot be taken as a sole attribute of provenance, the blade comes first. As for the subject blade, it is of later form, the cartouche is crude and typical Qajar combination of Lion and "O Giver of Life" (or "O Fulfiller of Needs" as per other version of the same translation).

I recommend the great Mr. Oliver Pinchot's article "The Persian Shamshir and the Signature of Assad Allah", it should still be available on-line

Below are few relevant examples: AA cartouche on late Persian Kard, and an ineligible attempt to copy (Shah Abbas? IMHO) on a Qajar blade.
Any ideas on what this cartouche could say? Most cartouches were copied with well known statements, so it's strange that someone just created ineligible/ unreadable one.

Salaams~ Yes there is some meaning such as in the two cartouches the above appears to say Abbas, Shah Wallah. and Ali Assadullah (under..) ie Lion Of God..So you are on track with that.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.