ARMS AND ARMOR FROM
IRAN (3) The Bronze Age to the
End of the Qajar Period
Makers’ Signatures on Sword Blades
Illustrated within the treatise are different swords
with the signature of Assadollah. Each signature is
meticulously scrutinized, and a careful analysis of
royal pieces shows that there are different styles
of handwriting
and dates that accompany these cartouches. The same
is true with the signature of Kalbeali and the
different styles of Kalbeali cartouches that are
presented. The volume explores the meaning of each
one of these names in its cultural setting and
concludes that these names would have been used as
honorary titles. Other smiths, such as Askari
Isfahani signed, their blades with
their own names. The research shows that
double-edged swords were not abandoned after the
introduction of curved swords; rather, they
coexisted together
into the Qajar period. However, the curved swords
were generally favored. A beautiful, double-edged
sword with a watered blade, enameled handle, and
gold-inlaid cartouche from Nassereldin Shah Qajar
shows the beauty of these swords. A chapter of this
book is dedicated to the meaning of dragons, which
appear on the ends of the quillons of many of these
straight swords. Another important topic dealt with
are the images of the lion and the sun and its
meaning for Iranian dynasties. As it will be shown,
the emblem of the lion and the sun has a long
tradition, going back to the Saljug times. The image
also appears on some coins from the Safavid era,
known as “folus.” The engraved forte of a shamshir
with the symbol of the lion and the sun from the
Safavid period is photographed. Contrary to the
popular belief, the symbol existed before the Qajar
era and not only appeared on coins but also on sword
blades.
ogether
into the Qajar period. However, the curved swords
were generally favored. A beautiful, double-edged
sword with a watered blade, enameled handle, and
gold-inlaid cartouche from Nassereldin Shah Qajar
shows the beauty of these swords. A chapter of this
book is dedicated to the meaning of dragons, which
appear on the ends of the quillons of many of these
straight swords. Another important topic dealt with
are the images of the lion and the sun and its
meaning for Iranian dynasties. As it will be shown,
the emblem of the lion and the sun has a long
tradition, going back to the Saljug times. The image
also appears on some coins from the Safavid era,
known as “folus.” The engraved forte of a shamshir
with the symbol of the lion and the sun from the
Safavid period is photographed. Contrary to the
popular belief, the symbol existed before the Qajar
era and not only appeared on coins but also on sword
blades.
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