Saber

Unknown

Grip and guard, second half of the 17th century; blade, late 18th–19th century · Steel, jade (nephrite), gold, copper, diamond · Arms and Armor

The green nephrite grip is carved with a rippling pattern that echoes the crucible, or "watered," steel of the blade. The Arabic inscriptions on the blade include one verse praising the infinite gentleness and power of God and another verse referring to the sword called dhu'l-faqar. The latter was one of the swords of the prophet Muhammad and was widely regarded as a symbol of spiritual and political authority.

Artist

Unknown

Date

Grip and guard, second half of the 17th century; blade, late 18th–19th century

Medium

Steel, jade (nephrite), gold, copper, diamond

Culture

Turkish

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935