A large example, the iron hilt with expanded rails and cusped grips covered entirely in fine flowering vinework in silver. The long, tapering blade with central ridge and chamfered edges, exceptionally well-wrought of the finest Persian Kara Taban wootz, displaying ladder steps loosely interspersed with whorls or “roses.” In its velvet-covered wooden scabbard with fine silver mounts, the suspension band fretted and pierced, the chape with pairs of embossed and pierced peacocks. Mid-17th c. Minor wear to silver inlay, minor areas of pitting to hilt and blade, velvet refreshed, one peacock lacking from chape. See L. Figiel, On Damascus Steel, 1991: Atlantis, p. 77, pl 27b for similar. Overall length 53.7cm. Condition III