Mystery sabre

josh stout · 27th July 2021, 05:06 PM

It really looks similar to a Javanese approach to etching and decoration along the blade. Many small souvenir shops all over Java have been selling a variety of blade types with exactly this type of magical Arabic etching for a long time. The influences come from all over, and a crude Tao symbol, roughly cast with flames around it would not be out of place. These are souvenir swords, and are often fanciful designs made to look a little bit old. Overall, the saber looks like a "spiced up" pedang. The handle, guard, and blade are not that different from examples outside the realm of souvenirs.

I could be off, because I am trying to squeeze something I have not seen before into a category I with which I am familiar, but I would not be surprised to see something like this in a roadside antique stand.

Yvain · 30th July 2021, 06:13 PM

Sorry for not commenting earlier in the thread, very busy week.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help ! Philip, your Cham theory is extremely interesting and I'll see if I can find more information by following this lead; nevertheless, this is a very solid proposition considering the general guom style and the muslim etchnigs.

To answer your questioning, I don't think it was ever meant to be carried, it is really long, heavy, and unbalanced. In my opinion, it was made from the start for display (be it simply for decoration or with a religious intention).

Ausjulius, I will also give a shot at the Hui theory. In any case, you are most certainly correct that this was made rather cheaply for display, most likely as a religious souvenir (though way less practical than a medal from Lourdes !).

Regarding the javanese influence, and considering the mix of different styles on this piece, I wouldn't be surprised either that the blade was etched somewhere, then mounted in another place.

kwiatek · 9th August 2021, 03:06 PM

The inscriptions are the Ayat al-Kursi, or the Throne Verse, which is Qur'an 2:255, perhaps the most frequently inscribed Qur'aicn verse. There is also an Arabic prayer beginning "O God, we ask you for well-being in religion, for bodily health etc" which is too large to give in full here and in any case it is not shown in its entirety on the photos. In large letters is the phrase

لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله

"There is no power or strength save through God"

ausjulius · 19th September 2021, 09:12 AM

https://www.medieval-shop.co.uk/blog...ans-sword.html
chinese stainless steel factory made sword of a similar style.. probably from longquan.. shape, handle . guard ect are approximately the same.

ausjulius · 19th September 2021, 10:23 AM

couldnt find much on hui swords.. but i have seen etched chinese type swords with arabic text from the hui for their martial arts performances https://freewechat.com/a/MzA3NDU5NDY0NQ==/402876671/3

27th July 2021, 05:06 PM	#1
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	It really looks similar to a Javanese approach to etching and decoration along the blade. Many small souvenir shops all over Java have been selling a variety of blade types with exactly this type of magical Arabic etching for a long time. The influences come from all over, and a crude Tao symbol, roughly cast with flames around it would not be out of place. These are souvenir swords, and are often fanciful designs made to look a little bit old. Overall, the saber looks like a "spiced up" pedang. The handle, guard, and blade are not that different from examples outside the realm of souvenirs. I could be off, because I am trying to squeeze something I have not seen before into a category I with which I am familiar, but I would not be surprised to see something like this in a roadside antique stand.

30th July 2021, 06:13 PM	#2
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 173	Sorry for not commenting earlier in the thread, very busy week. Again, thanks to everyone for their help ! Philip, your Cham theory is extremely interesting and I'll see if I can find more information by following this lead; nevertheless, this is a very solid proposition considering the general guom style and the muslim etchnigs. To answer your questioning, I don't think it was ever meant to be carried, it is really long, heavy, and unbalanced. In my opinion, it was made from the start for display (be it simply for decoration or with a religious intention). Ausjulius, I will also give a shot at the Hui theory. In any case, you are most certainly correct that this was made rather cheaply for display, most likely as a religious souvenir (though way less practical than a medal from Lourdes !). Regarding the javanese influence, and considering the mix of different styles on this piece, I wouldn't be surprised either that the blade was etched somewhere, then mounted in another place.

9th August 2021, 03:06 PM	#3
kwiatek Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 153	The inscriptions are the Ayat al-Kursi, or the Throne Verse, which is Qur'an 2:255, perhaps the most frequently inscribed Qur'aicn verse. There is also an Arabic prayer beginning "O God, we ask you for well-being in religion, for bodily health etc" which is too large to give in full here and in any case it is not shown in its entirety on the photos. In large letters is the phrase لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله "There is no power or strength save through God"

19th September 2021, 09:12 AM	#4
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 415	https://www.medieval-shop.co.uk/blog...ans-sword.html chinese stainless steel factory made sword of a similar style.. probably from longquan.. shape, handle . guard ect are approximately the same.

19th September 2021, 10:23 AM	#5
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 415	couldnt find much on hui swords.. but i have seen etched chinese type swords with arabic text from the hui for their martial arts performances https://freewechat.com/a/MzA3NDU5NDY0NQ==/402876671/3