A Fine Kilij Saber with Greek Niello Work.

The Kilij is the traditional saber of the Ottomans. It was in use from the early 17 C. and during more than 300 years well into the 20th C. The shorter version with deeply curved wide blade and ‘T’ spine, sometime known as Pala, is a later version and appeared in the mid 18 Century. This Pala has a blade of 28 inches long with gold koftgari work, with inventory mark on the back edge (See below). The hilt of classical form is made of silver cross guard and horn grips with bulbous pommel and silver grip strap. Wood scabbard with its original leather cover with spiral stitching. Finely engraved and nielloed silver fittings. This sword comes with its original red cotton carrying rope. Very good condition. A very fine sword of quality.

Swords with this type of niello decorations are very rare and attribute to Greece. The complex building decorated on the top mount looks like a Mosque and it might be a speciall order for a Moslem owner. In north Greece there few large moslem minorities in the area of East Mecedonia and Thrace surrnded by Mecedonia, Bulgaria and Tukrkey.

Provenance: Glenbow Museum, Calgary. Canada

Price: On request