POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Sword (<i>shamshir</i>) and scabbard شمشیر و غلاف شمشیر

Object No. H4099

This curved wedge-shaped blade (<i>shamshir</i>) is one of two (H7905) fine handmade swords from early 19th century Persia (Iran) in the Powerhouse collection. An object used for ceremony and performance, it was probably made by a master sword maker (<i>shamshirsaz</i>) from the city of Isfahan during the Qajar era. The sword's handle slabs are made of walrus ivory and the spatulated quillons, cross-guard (<i>bolchaq</i>) and pommel cap (<i>kolahak</i>) are made of steel, beautifully decorated with engraved gold-overlay bird and floral motifs. The underside of this sword has two beautifully embedded cartouches: the upper one reads "The Slave of the Kingdom Trusteeship of Ali, Abbass" (<i>Bandey-e Shah-e Velayat Abbass</i>) which translates as "[The King Shah] Abbass is the representative of [Imam] Ali's rule and acts on his behalf [on Earth]." The lower cartouche presents the sword-maker's mark, "The work of Assadollah" (<i>amal-e Assadollah</i>). This sword has a wooden scabbard consisting of two parts glued together and covered with shagreen leather (<i>saghari</i>). One of the scabbard fittings (<i>varband</i>) is missing. Similar to other Qajar metal arms and armour in the Powerhouse collection (H4099, A1425), this sword was used by male performers for <i>Taziyeh</i> - a type of public religious theatre that depicts the scenes of martyrdom of Imam Hoseyn (<i>Seyed al-Shohada</i>), the grandchild of the Prophet Mohammad - during the month of Moharram in Persia. Dr Pedram Khosronejad, Curator of Persian Arts, 2021