Zulfiqar (saber with split point)

Culture Persian

Datelate 1800s

MediumCrucible steel; iron with silver inlay (koftgari); brass; organic adhesive

Dimensions103.5 × 90.2 cm (40 3/4 × 35 1/2 in.), 1 lb, 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.290.1

DescriptionLong, curved saber blade of wedge section, with a nearly flat back without false edge. For about 8" of its length from the point the blade is vertically divided along its axis, producing side-by-side blades, each of which is finished in itself. On both faces, from about 1/3 of the length below the grip, and extending almost to the point, is an undulating serpent produced in bas-relief. The head of the serpent is directed toward the grip, and the eye, tongue, and a neck band are rendered in brass inlay. Above the head on the obverse of the blade are two decorate lobated cartouches also in brass, with inscriptions.

The blade is fitted with a kilij hilt of two pieces of iron, with silver koft gari decoration of leaved tendrils, repeated triangular motifs, and peacock's 'eyes' (?) at the pommel-end. The crossguards are short, straight, and of rectangular section, with pyramidal terminals of octagonal section. The hilt is extended down in a long, narrow ecusson cut at the end with notches. Narrow langets on both faces of blade for 1 1/2". The grip is relatively long, oval in section, with a low dip at mid-length of the palm. It terminates in the usual rounded so-called 'pistol-grip' form, but is not pierced. The blade appears to be held into the grip only by friction and a white/grey gum of some type, visible at the ecusson.

The hilt appears to be Persian, Qajar period, though of better workmanship than other examples.
Label TextThis ceremonial saber is highly unusual because of its cleft tip. This feature is found on a small number of swords inspired by the legendary sword known as Dhu’l fiqar or Zulfiqar (“Possessor of spines”). The most distinctive feature of Zulfiqar was its notched tip—in fact, fractures in the tip were not uncommon in early wootz blades from Arabia. According to legend, Zulfiqar was captured by Muhammed’s forces at the Battle of Badr in 623/4 C.E. Muhammed eventually passed the sword to his son-in-law Ali. Zulfiqar ultimately became an important emblem of Islam, inspiring many interpretations by swordsmiths over the ages. This particular example may have been used in the Shi’ite religious plays popular in Persia. Its split tip was a virtuoso achievement by a master craftsman, but certainly not the work of Assad Allah, whose name appears on the blade. Assad Allah was the most famous of Persia’s renowned swordsmiths, and his name was often used to enhance the status of a blade.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on May 31, 1927 from Walpole Galleries (NY), cat. no. 453, lot no. 342. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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