Curved blade and hilt with damasked metal. The blade with a cartouche inscribed: Amale Asadullah Isfahani. Wooden scabbard covered with shagreen. Length 88 cm.
The collection of Harry Appelgren (1908-1998)
A certain aura of mystery surrounds the name Asadullah. It remains uncertain whether it referred to a single distinguished craftsman or served as an honorary title bestowed upon Iranian swordsmiths of exceptional skill. The name translates as “Lion of God,” one of the traditional epithets associated with Imam ‘Ali.
Compare similar shamshir in The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, Object Number: 26.35.1a, b