An Ottoman Kilij of the type seen in Louis Dupre's famous painting of Demetrios Mavromichalis.
This Stunning sabre measures 97cms long in the scabbard.
Out of the scabbard it measures 90.5cms long with a blade length of 77cms measures from the centre of the quillon block to the tip.
The grips slabs are of Rhino horn, expertly chosen and mirrored to show the black heart of the horn at the quillon block on both sides.
The quillon block or guard measures 17cms across. Like the rest of the scabbard fittings it is of silver and retains a small partial tughra stamp to one langets that faces the Rhino horn grip slabs and the guard retains most of its original gilded surface.
The blade is a finely crafted type of Shamshir profile. It shows fine watered patterning throughout all surfaces and remains in excellent condition. Running through the centre of the blade faces is a single deep fuller.
The silver scabbard fittings are all stamped with a Tughra indicating the silverwork and most likely the entire sabre came from Royal Ottoman workshops and all retain partial gilt surfaces
The leather work seen between the silver fittings is also gilded. The silver bullion thread to the rear remains intact as is the leather work itself which shows a very pronounced raised relief likely from applied string work beneath.
Presented in the photos is an image of Dupre's work showing an identical Kilij.
An exceptional example.
