A Persian Peshkabz for comment and help with translation

GePi · 18th December 2022, 04:10 PM

Hi,
I have another recently acquired piece to show, this time a Persian Peshkabz.

The blade is nice wootz with a not quite consistent ladder pattern. On the forte of the blade it shows a typical chiseled douple cartouche, but chiseled on the spine is a very interesting repeating pattern with scant remains of gold laid onto the background which must have looked spectacular with all the gold in place. The spine also has a small chiseled name at the forte which I believe says 'amal-e ali' and something after that which I cannot make out.

On the front strap chiseled is a simple vine pattern, also with a bit of remaining gold in the background.

Finally the backstrap has a lengthy high quality chiseled calligraphic inscription which wraps around to the pommel end, which I would love to have translated of course.

Thanks for looking!

ariel · 18th December 2022, 08:45 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to date it 18th or even earlier century.
Excellent! Santa came earlier than expected:-)

David · 18th December 2022, 10:29 PM

Not my area of collections, but that sure is pretty!

Battara · 18th December 2022, 11:07 PM

The chiseling is magnificent!

ariel · 19th December 2022, 03:42 AM

Both “cheeks” of the handle were made from secondary dentin. It means that the walrus tooth was extremely large and the master could afford using only the most esthetically pleasing part of it.
Consequently, the original buyer could afford paying a lot of money.
I am sure the new owner also paid through the nose, but it was worth every penny.

An exceedingly rare find, congratulations!

mahratt · 19th December 2022, 08:32 AM

Congratulations GePi! Beautiful pesh-kabz.
This is verse 255 of the second surah in the holy Quran, The Throne verse.
It is written in a very artistic calligraphy of thulth font.
Translation is:
"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they encompass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]

ariel · 19th December 2022, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahratt

"No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]

There are many stories and verses in the Koran influenced by the Bible. Here is one original:

“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep”

Psalm 121.

Drabant1701 · 19th December 2022, 06:14 PM

What an fantastic dagger! Thw wootz is beautiful, the chiseling superb and the walrus ivory just right. Congratulations!

GePi · 19th December 2022, 06:42 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone, especially Dima for the speedy translation! I am pretty chuffed with it, 18th century would be my guess as well.

It certainly was not cheap, what is in this area of collecting nowadays, but considering what I got, I consider it a bargain.

Battara · 20th December 2022, 04:15 AM

It also seems that there may have been some gold leaf, plating, or something in the recesses of the inscriptions.

GePi · 20th December 2022, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

It also seems that there may have been some gold leaf, plating, or something in the recesses of the inscriptions.

It might look a bit like that in the pictures, probably a trick of the light because there is nothing there.
If you look closely you will see, that the background is polished smooth on the backstrap with the inscription, but is knurled on the spine and the frontstrap to help the gold to adhere. Didn't help unfortunately

(I am pretty sure the gold was scraped out intentionally).

francantolin · 20th December 2022, 09:20 PM

Amazing antique piece in mint conditions !
Congratulations !
What are the dimensions ??

ariel · 21st December 2022, 01:18 AM

Is the last quarter of the blade bent sidewise?

GePi · 21st December 2022, 05:03 AM

Dimensions:
Full length 38 cm (including lanyard ring)
Blade length 26,5 cm
Weight 407g

So it is a decently sized specimen.

Also no sideways bend, just the angle of photography that catches the pronounced upwards curve near the tip.

18th December 2022, 04:10 PM	#1
GePi Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Germany Posts: 93	A Persian Peshkabz for comment and help with translation Hi, I have another recently acquired piece to show, this time a Persian Peshkabz. The blade is nice wootz with a not quite consistent ladder pattern. On the forte of the blade it shows a typical chiseled douple cartouche, but chiseled on the spine is a very interesting repeating pattern with scant remains of gold laid onto the background which must have looked spectacular with all the gold in place. The spine also has a small chiseled name at the forte which I believe says 'amal-e ali' and something after that which I cannot make out. On the front strap chiseled is a simple vine pattern, also with a bit of remaining gold in the background. Finally the backstrap has a lengthy high quality chiseled calligraphic inscription which wraps around to the pommel end, which I would love to have translated of course. Thanks for looking! Attached Images

18th December 2022, 08:45 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I wouldn't hesitate to date it 18th or even earlier century. Excellent! Santa came earlier than expected:-)

18th December 2022, 10:29 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,025	Not my area of collections, but that sure is pretty!

18th December 2022, 11:07 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	The chiseling is magnificent!

19th December 2022, 03:42 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Both “cheeks” of the handle were made from secondary dentin. It means that the walrus tooth was extremely large and the master could afford using only the most esthetically pleasing part of it. Consequently, the original buyer could afford paying a lot of money. I am sure the new owner also paid through the nose, but it was worth every penny. An exceedingly rare find, congratulations!

19th December 2022, 08:32 AM	#6
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Congratulations GePi! Beautiful pesh-kabz. This is verse 255 of the second surah in the holy Quran, The Throne verse. It is written in a very artistic calligraphy of thulth font. Translation is: "Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they encompass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)." [Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]

19th December 2022, 06:14 PM	#8
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	What an fantastic dagger! Thw wootz is beautiful, the chiseling superb and the walrus ivory just right. Congratulations!

19th December 2022, 06:42 PM	#9
GePi Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Germany Posts: 93	Thanks for the replies everyone, especially Dima for the speedy translation! I am pretty chuffed with it, 18th century would be my guess as well. It certainly was not cheap, what is in this area of collecting nowadays, but considering what I got, I consider it a bargain.

20th December 2022, 04:15 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	It also seems that there may have been some gold leaf, plating, or something in the recesses of the inscriptions.

20th December 2022, 09:20 PM	#12
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 817	Amazing antique piece in mint conditions ! Congratulations ! What are the dimensions ??

21st December 2022, 01:18 AM	#13
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is the last quarter of the blade bent sidewise?

21st December 2022, 05:03 AM	#14
GePi Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Germany Posts: 93	Dimensions: Full length 38 cm (including lanyard ring) Blade length 26,5 cm Weight 407g So it is a decently sized specimen. Also no sideways bend, just the angle of photography that catches the pronounced upwards curve near the tip.