Ottoman Empire, c. 1800 or earlier; A fine Ottoman sword (shamshir) with extensive applied gold decoration to blade including prayers and cartouches probably with owner's name (?). Engraved quillon and wriggle work engraving to metal on grip. Sword retains its probably original scabbard, its wood core sheathed in hide with extensive and decorated silver mounts all over.

Length of sword: approximately 39.5" (100.5cm)

Provenance: The John J. Slocum Collection Mr. Slocum (1914-1997) collected most of his antiquities while serving as US cultural attache to Egypt in the 1960s. Later, he served as Assistant to the Director of The Smithsonian, was appointed by President Reagan to the Presidential Cultural Property Advisory Committee, and was a Trustee Emeritus of the Archaeological Institute of America. He was a well-respected scholar/collector, whose medieval crusader coins were sold in a single-owner sale at Sotheby’s, London in 1997.

Horn grips are broken with missing pieces, quillon is loose. Blade and gilding appears to be in excellent condition. Scabbard in good condition with small losses.