2235 - A marvelous Persian-Indian shamshir by Asadullah Isfahani, 18th/19th century; the blade was made for and dedicated to Nadir Shah Afshar (1688–1747)

A marvelous Persian-Indian shamshir by Asadullah Isfahani, 18th/19th century; the blade was made for and dedicated to Nadir Shah Afshar (1688–1747) A robust, slightly curved blade made of Wootz damask, featuring gold-inlaid inscriptions on both sides of the tang and along the spine, including, among others, the Basmala and the dedication to Nadir Shah (“Nadir Tadjdar”) and the signature “Asadullah Isfahani.” A polychrome enameled vessel of gilded silver, richly adorned with diamonds and cut rubies, featuring magnificent leaf and vine motifs; the ends of the central bars and the pommel are shaped as tiger heads. Velvet-lined wooden case with fittings decorated to match the vessel, also set with diamonds and rubies, and two relief-carved carrying rings. Length 101 cm. Nadir (or Nader) Shah Afshar was born on October 22, 1688, in Dastgerd, Khorasan, and died on June 20, 1747, in Quchan, where he was murdered by his own followers. He came from a relatively humble background. When his father, a small farmer and shepherd, died, he and his mother were captured and sold into slavery. Nadir managed to escape slavery and became the leader of a band of mercenaries at a young age. He emulated his role models, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, and quickly earned a reputation as a brilliant military commander. Historians have variously referred to him as the “second Alexander” or the “Napoleon of Persia.” He later ruled as Shah of Persia from 1736 to 1747 and founded the Afsharid dynasty. His realm stretched from the Caucasus to the Indus River and to the southern shore of the Persian Gulf. One of his campaigns took him as far as Delhi in 1738, into the realm of the Mughal emperors. After Nader Shah had conquered the city and left it again in May 1739, he took thousands of slaves with him. He also seized the famous Peacock Throne, which subsequently became the symbol of all Persian rulers. His spoils reportedly included 700 elephants, 4,000 camels, and 12,000 horses. They pulled wagons, all of which were laden with gold, silver, and precious stones, including, among others, the famous Koh-i-Noor (“Mountain of Light”) and Darya-ye Noor (“Sea of Light”) diamonds. Condition: II -