Beschreibung:

A NORTH ITALIAN MEDIEVAL BROADSWORD FROM THE MAMLUK ARSENAL IN ALEXANDRIA PROBABLY MILAN, DATED 1419 With tapering double-edged blade struck on each side with two maker’s marks, an initial ‘P’ co-joined with a cross, and engraved on one side at the forte in slender Arabic script ‘ habs al-malik al-mu’ayyad bi-khaza’in al-silah bi-thaghr al-Iskandariya sana ithnayn wa ‘ashr (sic) wa tha[manmiya ] ’ (Abu’l-nasr Shaykh. Pious donation of the King al-Mu’ayyad Abu’l-Nasr Shaykh to the arsenal in the frontier city of Alexandria, in the year 812( sic ))(1), straight iron cross-guard with downturned tips, blackened wood grip-scales, and wheel pommel with central recess on each side, the cross guard and pommel probably added in Cyprus, the grip probably an Ottoman 19th century replacement Length of blade 35 5/8 in. (90.5 cm.); overall length 44 3/8 in. (112.7 cm.) Provenance Presented as a diplomatic gift by King Janus of Cyprus to the Mamluk Sultan Malik Mu’ayyad Abu’l-Nasr Shaykh, 1419, whereupon deposited in the Arsenal in Alexandria. The Ottoman Empire invade the Mamluk Sultanate, 1517, the sword subsequently removed from the Arsenal in Alexandria, taken to Istanbul and probably stored in the St. Irene Arsenal. Many items from the St. Irene Arsenal, probably including this sword, transferred to the new Maçka Armoury (Grand Depot of Arms) in Istanbul, mid-19th century. A number of items from the collection held at the Maçka Armoury are sold by the Ottomans, principally following the end of the First World War, early 20th century. Anonymous sale; Graf Klenau, München, 16 June 1973, lot 5070, where acquired by Annelies Maurer, upon her death bequeathed to the present owner.