Lot 2144
A British officer's sabre with a late 15th/early 16th century Mamluk Haji Sunqur blade
Arms & Armour, and Antique Firearms | A109aw | Live auction | 1367 Lots
Description
The slightly curved, single-edged blade made of streaky wootz-Damascus with a continuous, shallow fuller on both sides and pronounced yelman. Three gold-inlaid cartouches on the obverse of the root, including the signature (tr.) “Made by Haji Sunqur”. Along the spine, a raised gold-inlaid Qur'anic inscription is enclosed by a stylised floral motif. Lion's head knuckle-bow hilt dating from the reign of George IV with leather-covered grip and remnants of gilding. The slightly dented, smooth brass scabbard with two suspension rings. A baronial crown above a “B” engraved on the obverse of the root, the manufacturer's inscription “R. Johnson late Bland & Forster Swordcutler & Beltmaker To His Majesty, 68 St. James St. London” on the opposite side. Blade length 83 cm, overall length 98.5 cm. See also the catalogue for the exhibition “Gold & Damaszenerstahl, Klingenkunst aus dem Osmanischen Reich, 5. Juli bis 3. November 2024”, nos. 15 and 16.Condition: II Questions about the lot?