Two ceremonial swords from Kairouan - Lot 111

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Lot n° 111
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Result : 2 000EUR
Two ceremonial swords from Kairouan - Lot 111
Two ceremonial swords from Kairouan Iron and wood Tunisia, Kairouan, first half of the 19th century H. 118.5 / 89 cm These imposing swords consist of a wide wooden hilt and a thick rectangular blade, deeply engraved with inscriptions (Qur’anic verses and prophecies) on both sides, and deep triangles on the thick spine of the blade. They belong to a group of weapons attributed to Sidi Amor Abada. The famous master blacksmith (who died in 1855–56) created a large number of unusual, large-scale votive objects engraved with protective inscriptions, verses, prophecies, or excerpts from the life of their creator. His creations and his commanding presence drew many followers to Sidi Amor, who sought his blessing while fearing his supernatural powers. His mausoleum (zaouia) in Kairouan now houses the Sidi Amor Abada Museum of Folk Arts, which preserves many of his works, notably swords such as these. Christie’s auctioned a similar sword (London, April 1, 2021, lot 6), whose inscription also refers to the life of Sidi Amor. An engraved brass plaque on the hilt reads, in part, “Mosque of Kairouan, Sidi Okba ben Nafa, Lieutenant of Amer ben d’Aci, General of Caliph Omar, 669.” Some pieces in this group were likely captured as war booty during the French colonial expedition and the looting of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in 1881, as evidenced by the piece sold at Christie’s. Some of our five swords bear old labels (an inventory number—likely from a 19th-century police register—and a lot number from a past auction). (Signs of wear)
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