SABRE (KILIJ) À DÉCOR DE CORAIL ET TURQUOISE - Lot 67

SABRE (KILIJ) À DÉCOR DE CORAIL ET TURQUOISE probably trabzon, black sea coast, late 18th-19th century Typical, wide, curved, single-edged blade with false edges. Decorated with gold damascened inscriptions. Guard, fusee and pommel entirely inlaid with red coral (Corallium rubrum) (NR) and turquoise cabochons. With its scabbard inlaid with coral and turquoise cabochons on one side, and with engraved gilded copper decoration on the other. Length: 89.5 cm. Collection of a Greek officer (pre-1912). Then by descent. Two very similar Ottoman kilijs are published by Robert Hales (Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour. A Lifetime's Passion, London, 2013, p. 209, nos. 507 and 508). In addition to heavily set coral and turquoise mounts, some of which are engraved, Hales' swords also have blades decorated with similar gold damascened inscriptions. A similar kilij was sold at Christie's on October 26, 2017, lot 197, and another at the same auction house on April 27, 2017, lot 13.