Culture: Islamic, PersianMaterials/Techniques: steel, goldNote: Inscription: In the year 1035 this golden helmet was finished; keep blessed the head which always carries this helmet on its brow.Note: Inscription: One with a helmet on his head, all gold and jewels, in the reign of Shah Abbas, world conquering, world sustaining. How shall I describe him, glowing with youth, his helmet is like a heavenly moon.Note: Inscription: In the reign of the King of Kings, as exalted as Darius, this golden helmet was finished, an all bounteous, world conquering prince endowed with glory and fame...Padishah, Shah Abbas, whose sway extends from China to Syria. It behoves to to place such a helmet as this on the head of (warriors) with pomp and state a thousandfold. None befits it than the brow of the Shah, whose rule sways all, high and low. Keep blessed the head which always carries this helmet on its brow...The crown of the heads of the prophets...Oh thou Compassionate, thou Bounteous.
This is part of the so-called "Turkish Hunting Set" consisting of the Ottoman gun (Walters 51.84) and various accessories contained within a large Parisian case (Walters 64.165). The pen box fits into the butt of the gun and itself contains a pen holder (Walters 51.87) and a knife (Walters 57.620). It also has an inkwell in the end that opens.For the latest information about this object, pen boxes, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This pen ("kalam") holder is part of the writing set inside of the pen box (Walters 51.78) that is contained in the Ottoman gun (Walters 51.84), which belongs to the so-called "Turkish Hunting Set." The piece is studded with rubies and emeralds and has an all-over floral design spiraling from the top to the bottom. The pen's reed nib is inserted at one end and the other is capped with a bezel set emerald.For the latest information about this object, boxes (containers), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
The sheath is entirely decorated at its drop-shaped tip with spirals, rosettes, and rhombic appliqués. The upper part displays arabesque leaves and tendrils and the buckle as well as lower tip is decorated with rhombic and rosette-shaped appliqués. The back of the upper part is blank. Thuma daggers were produced only for the Zaydi Muslim elite. They were very precious, and kept in families for generations.
On the back of the sheath is an Arabic stamp with the name of the ruler and a date: al-Mansur 115x. The stamp belongs to Imam al-Mansur al-Husayn, who lived from AH 1139 to 1161 (AD 1775-1809).
An engraved inscription in Hebrew names the silversmith: H(arun) Kasil. It is possible that H(arun) Kasil was the same Kasil who lived also under al-Mahdi al-"Abbas, see Walters 57.2319.For the latest information about this object, daggers; sheaths (cases), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: [Stamp] In Arabic: al-Mansur 115x; [Engraved] In Hebrew:
H(arun) (?) KasilReign: Al-Mansur al-Husayn (1139-1161 AH/AD 1775-1809)Style:
The chased front of the sheath is has a perforated, arabesque floral and tendril décor. The buckle is a modern replacement and has rhombic and bead-molded attachments. The tip is formed in the shape of a bud.
The back is blank, but has a stamp with the date in Arabic: Qifal 1176. The date belongs to the reign of al-Mahdi al "Abbas (AH 1161-1189/AD 1748-1775).
An engraved inscription in Hebrew names the silversmith: Sulayman Maswari, rub'i. The term "rub'i" is Arabic (but written here in Hebrew script) and means "half."For the latest information about this object, daggers; sheaths (cases), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: [Stamp] In Arabic: Qifal 1176; [Engraved] In Hebrew: Sulayman Maswari, rub'iReign: Al-Mahdi al ‘Abbas (AH 1161–1189/AD 1748–1775)Style:
Silver spear point (A); 4 silver rings (B, C, D, E), 4 gold rings (F, G, H, I) and Spear Butt (B17079). Spear Shaft is restorationCBS Register: silver spear. point and butt end and 4 rings of silver; 4 rings of gold.