Page 156 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

which becomes double-edged toward the point, has gold-
inlaid inscriptions on both sides. The inscriptions on one side
contain the same Koranic verses used in the mec; those on
the other side state that the weapon is entrusted to the will of
God and to the guidance of the Prophet and his descendants,
and that this noble husarn (sword) is for the protection of the
sultan of mankind, "Sultan Süleyman bin Selim, may God
grant him victory/'
The scabbard has a wooden core covered with black
leather; it is embellished with gold-inlaid blackened steel
upper and lower chapes as well as a pair of similarly con-
structed sling mounts with rings. These components are deco-
rated in the same manner as the hilt and guard, with rumis
in addition to hatayis and cloud bands.
The style of the floral motifs recalls that on the gilded silver
jugs, suggesting that the sword dates from the early part of
Süleyman's reign. The thickly inlaid gold motifs rendered in
relief also point to the second quarter of the sixteenth cen-
tury. Abrasions on the gold inlays indicate that this sword
has seen considerable use.

88. Gold-inlaid kihç and scabbard made for Sultan Sulcyman, second
quarter sixteenth century (Istanbul, Topkapi Sarayí Müzesi, 1/463)

Detail of hilt, 88