Original Persian 17th Century Qajar Dynasty Gold-Inlaid Wootz Steel Tabar Fighting Axe with Cougar & Deer Motifs and Gemstone Encrusted Eye
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The tabar (also called tabarzin, which means "saddle axe") is a type of battle axe. The term tabar is used for axes originating from the Ottoman Empire, Persia, Armenia, India and surrounding countries and cultures. As a loanword taken through Iranian Scythian, the word tabar is also used in most Slavic languages as the word for axe.
The tabarzin (saddle axe) (Persian: تبرزین; sometimes translated "saddle-hatchet") is the traditional battle axe of Persia (Iran). It bears one or two crescent-shaped blades. The long form of the tabar was about seven feet long, while a shorter version was about three feet long. The tabarzin was sometimes carried as a symbolic weapon by wandering dervishes (Muslim ascetic worshippers). The word tabar for axe was directly borrowed into Armenian as tapar (Armenian: տապար) from Middle Persian tabar, as well as into Proto-Slavonic as "topor" (*toporъ), the latter word known to be taken through Scythian, and is still the common Slavic word for axe.
This is a truly mesmerizing piece, a Persian tabar fighting axe with a head made entirely from Wootz steel, an early laminated crucible steel similar to “Damascus Steel”. It is heavily gold-inlaid, with gorgeous gemstone-encrusting to the eye consisting of 14 small gemstones, one slightly larger “keystone”, and a much larger central gemstone, which is likely a moonstone.
The axehead measures 5¾” long with a 3¾” edge width. The head is 1⅜” deep at the butt. The axe overall is 22¾” long from the end knob to the tip of the moonstone. The shaft is covered at both ends with decorative sheet silver, which is starting to peel away in many spots. The naked part of the shaft has some paint loss as shown.
This is the most tremendous Persian axe we have ever offered, sure to become the centerpiece of any collection. Ready to display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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