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Lot 186

A diamond and emerald-set gold-mounted Royal presentation Sword (saif)
Saudi Arabia, circa 1950; the blade mid 19th Century
(2)

8 April 2014, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £32,500 inc. premium

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A diamond and emerald-set gold-mounted Royal presentation Sword (saif)
Saudi Arabia, circa 1950; the blade mid 19th Century

the single-edged tapering steel blade with slight curve and flattened spine and two carved fullers, one interrupted to one side by an embossed maker's mark consisting of a star shaped cartouche containing a lion holding a sword, the pommel with bud quillons, clad in gold and set with a large emerald and diamonds, the edge of the bone-mounted hilt with gold filigree, the gold knuckle chain with gold 1 guinea coin dated AH 1370/AD 1950-51; the wood scabbard clad entirely in gold engraved with scrolling vines, the borders with zig-zag design, two raised bosses set with circular emeralds surrounded by diamond-set gold petals, two suspension loops linked by gold chain with further 1 guinea coin of same date, the top of the scabbard with diamond-set arabesques
96 cm. length(2)

Footnotes

Provenance: Private UK collection.

The maker's mark is that of an Armenian sword maker working in Saudi Arabia in the mid 19th Century.

Additional information