˜Ⓦ TWO BALKAN SHORTSWORDS (YATAGHAN), THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY

˜Ⓦ TWO BALKAN SHORTSWORDS (YATAGHAN), THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY

the first with slightly curved single-edged blade inlaid with silver foliage and a brief inscription (losses, pitted), white metal hilt of characteristic form, engraved with scrolls and foliage, the back-strap chiselled in imitation of raised settings, eared pommel, in its leather-covered scabbard with mounts en suite; the second with slightly curved single-edged blade decorated with gold koftgari foliage on each face, a calligraphic panel on the front and further inscriptions including the date on the back-edge, and the hilt retaining a pair of marine ivory grip-scales (the pommel portion now missing)

the first: 56.2 cm; 22 1/8 in blade

(2)

Property from the David Jeffcoat Collection (1945-2020)

Part proceeds to benefit The Wallace Collection

The inscriptions read on the first "bicak elde gerek delde sübhan osman" (In your hand should be the knife, in your hand praise of God. Osman) and, on the second "amel-i sherif sahib ömer agha" ('Work of Sherif. The owner Ömer Agha').