Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 123. An ivory-hilted sword with blade signed by Muhammed Ali Kirmani ibn Sadeq, dedicated to Nader Shah (r.1736-47), Persia, early 18th Century.

An ivory-hilted sword with blade signed by Muhammed Ali Kirmani ibn Sadeq, dedicated to Nader Shah (r.1736-47), Persia, early 18th Century

Restricted Species

Auction Closed

March 30, 12:47 PM GMT

Estimate

60,000 - 80,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the slightly curved and finely watered steel blade with clear laddered steps (kirk narduban) cut into the watered pattern, inlaid with gold inscriptions in fine nasta’liq, the ivory hilt carved with floral decorations, the crossguard deeply cut on either side with a lobed, ovoid cartouche incorporating a nasta’liq inscription amidst interlacing spiralling vines on a gold ground

89.5cm.

This lot contains ivory. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory, EU regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory from outside the EU and a registration system will be in force in the UK from 6 June 2022. Please note that Sotheby’s will not assist buyers with CITIES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby’s assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Please note that CITIES licences are required for the export of any restricted species from the UK, including EU countries. A buyer’s inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation. Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property of Iranian origin into the USA and some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property of Iranian origin into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevent import regime. Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into the USA or the GCC. In addition, FedEx and US courier services will no longer carry Iranian-origin goods to any location. Any shipment services would need to be provided by a Fine Art shipping company. Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property of Iranian origin into the USA and some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property of Iranian origin into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevent import regime. Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into the USA or the GCC. In addition, FedEx and US courier services will no longer carry Iranian-origin goods to any location. Any shipment services would need to be provided by a Fine Art shipping company.

inscriptions

In the cartouches: ‘Sword of the Throne of Kingship, King of Kings Sultan Nadir, Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction, Master of Time, Lord of the Sea and Land/The Work of Mohammed Ali of Kirman, son of Sadeq’.

Along the blade: ‘When God draws the sword of wrath, prophets and saints draw in their heads, but if he casts a look of grace, he converts wicked into virtuous men’.

On the hilt: the bismillah.

Nader Shah was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty, and one of Persia’s most gifted military leaders. Born into poverty in 1688 and enslaved in his youth, he escaped and enrolled as a soldier under the chieftain of Afshar. His achievements as part of the revolution to restore the usurped Safavid dynasty led him to the top, and he ruled Persia from 1736-47. His extensive military achievements and vigorous expansion, from the Caucasus mountains to the Indus river, earned him the title of ‘Sword of Persia’ by modern historians (for further information on Nader Shah’s life and conquests, see Axworthy 2006). In fact, a number of swords have been associated with Nader Shah, most notably one within the Museum of Royal Jewels in Tehran (although the blade is in fact inscribed with Fath 'Ali Shah's name), and two others in the Nader Shah Museum in Mashhad. A further sword with nineteenth-century jewelled and enamelled mounts, offered in these rooms, 24 April 2013, lot 204, also bore a dedicatory inscription to Nader along the blade.

However, the present sword is the only complete example to present compelling evidence of its being a personal sword of Nader Shah. Other associations to his name on similar weapons, including those in Iranian museums, are more likely to be honorific. Here, the inscription bearing Nader’s name and titles stands within a circular cartouche and is finely executed, while the watered steel testifies of the blade’s high quality. The maker’s signature includes a Kirman nisba, a region historically known in early manuscripts and travellers accounts as a major fine steel-manufacturing centre. The Kirmani mines and arms workshops were still active under Nader Shah, until they fell into dereliction shortly after his death in the early Qajar period.

The quality of the blade in its patterning and perfect balance, equals that of the finest Persian swordmakers, and as such it stands as the lost representative of a region highly famed for its arms for over five hundred years. The finely executed inscription, dedicating the sword to Sultan Nader Shah and inferring direct ownership, makes this one of the most significant discoveries of Persian courtly arms in recent times.