A distinguished Greek kilij with fine, nielloed... Lot n° 1016

The strongly curved blade forged of wootz-Damascus (slightly pitted in places), broadening slightly at the double-edged point. A chiselled, ornamental rib on the T-shaped back of the blade. Remnants of gold-inlaid tendrils where the back joins the blade, gold-inlaid décor with barely legible calligraphic cartouches and six-pointed stars on both sides at the root of the blade. The solid silver, ridged quillons with finely nielloed floral décor. Large, riveted rhinoceros horn grip plates with nielloed silver grip frame and silver lanyard loop. The heavy silver scabbard with a wooden core. Both sides completely covered in fine nielloed décor with different illustrated scenes amidst trophy bundles and leafy vines. A depiction of Hercules slaying the lion on the upper edge on both sides, below which a Greek warrior in antique-style dress with a severed Turk's head. The lower half featuring a depiction of Athena above a city skyline and a double-headed eagle. Two nielloed carrying straps with movable suspension rings. Length 89.5 cm, weight of the scabbard 1160 g. A exceptional deluxe weapon, whose silver work may be attributed to a workshop in north-west Greece. The Greek national iconography on the scabbard is a clear reference to Greece's struggle for freedom against the Turks. Condition: II