An Ottoman shamshir, mid-19th century

An Ottoman shamshir, mid-19th centuryOlder, curved single-edged blade of wootz Damascus steel, late 18th century (Qajar era), the obverse with gold inlaid inscriptions in Nastaliq with the smith's name "Ali Asghar Isfahani", a dedication to Shah Abbas, and Fath Ali Shah. Two-part hilt of wootz Damascus steel, crossguard with long languet and faceted grip, both decorated with gold-damascened scrolling foliage throughout. Leather covered wooden scabbard, the mounts also made of wootz Damascus steel and decorated en suite gold-damascening. Length 97 cm.The age of the blade and the dedication to Fath Ali Shah (1771 - 1834) could indicate that it comes from a weapon originally carried by the second ruler of the Qajar dynasty.Condition: II