Very Fine and Rare Kard knife from Bukhara with Enameled Scabbard

Enameling of metal artifact is an ancient decoration technique in the east since early times. Both Iranian and neighboring cultures, for many centuries, showed special passion for the saturated but lucent colors that the enamel medium affords.

Enamel technique was applied to the scabbard of the fine kard knife from Bukahara, offered here. A typical kard blade forged from crucible steel (wootz) with  a clear pattern. Handle with R horn grips, band of small turquoise stones (Typical to Bukhara blades), chased silver grip strap and silver bolsters. The scabbard is gilded silver beautifully enameled on its front face with glittering blue and green colors and chased back face. A leather loop for belt hanging is attached to the back face of the scabbard.

Blade length 6 inches (15 cm). Total length 12 ½ inches (32 cm). Very good condition. Minor blackened spots on the blade. Very small dents on the scabbard. Very minor enamel restorations.

Provenance:  Old UK private collection of tribal weapons. Marked 21.2010 on both the handle and the back face of the scabbard.