An Ottoman niello and parcel-gilt silver-hilted steel sword (yataghan) with Greek inscriptions
Balkans, dated AH 1227/ AD 1812-13
the single-edged steel blade of slightly curved form with ridged spine, the blade chiselled with partial foliate cartouche near forte, profusely decorated in gold overlay with an inscription-filled cartouche running down the length of the blade to one side, two further inscription-filled cartouches, two inscription-filled cartouches to the other side, one in the form of a six-pointed star, other foliate decoration, the spine chiselled with a palmette and decorated in gold overlay with foliate designs, inscription-filled cartouche to hilt end of spine, the gilt-silver grips chased and decorated in niello with trophies, floral sprays and birds, each ear of the pommel with a phoenix rising from flames and Greek inscription 'ΦΙΝΗΞ' (phoenix), the wood scabbard with brass mounts decorated in repoussé with floral sprays and other vegetal motifs
79 cm. long
Footnotes:
Provenance
The Mohammed Khalil Collection.

Published
M. K. Ibrahim, Islamic Arms and Armour, Vol. I, United Arab Emirates, 2022, p. 389, Cat. No. 160.

Inscriptions: to one side, in the long inscription down the blade, Turkish verses about the sword; in the oblong cartouche, tawakkaltu 'ala allah, 'I put my trust in God'; in the trefoil device, sene 1227, 'Year 1227 (1812-13)'; to the other side, in the teardrop cartouche, sahib dervish ahmed efendi, 'The owner is Dervish Ahmed Efendi'; in the five-pointed star, ya allah, 'O God!'; to the base of the blade, ma sha'a allah, 'Whatsoever God wills'.

For another yataghan with a niello silver hilt decorated with mythical creatures see Robert Elgood, The Arms of Greece, London, 2009, p. 145, no. 165.
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