A SAFAVID-REVIVAL SHAMSHIR (SWORD)
Qajar Iran, 19th century

With a typical single-edged acid-etched curved steel blade, the forte decorated with birds amidst lush vegetal tendrils, the rest of the blade filled with undeciphered calligraphic bands and with a snake design on the tip, the hilt with rounded pommel and two stylised dragon heads to the base, with koftgari roundels and tendrils to each side, 83.5cm long.