Mid-16th Century

 Persia

 13.2 x 6.1 Cm

A Safavid steel cross-guard for sword is deeply carved on either side, with a front flank centerpiece with a famous emblem of the Safavid lion surrounded by motifs and on the other flank, an eagle grasps and poses its talons on Heron’s paunch.

This particular Safavid steel cross-guard used for sword belongs to a rare and important group of swords in the period of the late 16th century, each characterized by their profuse use in combination with a Safavid symbol’s and palmettes and arabesques.

As expected oxidisation and some erosion, with its age-old particularly to the surface, as viewed.

Acquired in1968,Oliver Hoare.