Page 14 - 2021 April 1, ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs, Christie's London

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A TUNISIAN CEREMONIAL SWORD BY THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN
SIDI AMOR
PROBABLY KAIROUAN, TUNISIA, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
The large rectangular blade densley covered with inscriptions in kufic, the wooden
hilt with a brass plaque inscribed 'Mosquée de Kairouan, Sidi Okba ben Nafa,
Lieutenant d'Amer ben d'Aci, Général du Khalife Omar, 669'
45Ωin. (115.4cm.) long
£8,000-12,000 US$12,000-17,000
€9,400-14,000
The brass plaque applied to this sword links it and the group to which it belongs
to the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia. The French invasion of 1881 saw the
Great Mosque attacked by the French and a number of objects taken away as the
spoils of war, including several of these great swords. The plaque bears the name
of the Lieutenant who presumably captured this sword.
These swords, of heavy iron, were sheathed in wooden scabbards and were part
of a larger group of, often oversized, iron-forged objects such as storage trunks
and giant anchors. The objects carry inscriptions in maghribi script in the form
of intaglio engravings. The inscription on our sword contains Qur’anic verses,
prophesies and some details relating to a renowned blacksmith called Sidi Amor
(also known as Sidi Abbada or Amor Ibn Salam al-Ayari) and his life. Sidi Amor
(d. AH 1271/1855-6 AD) was originally from the region of Makhtar. He was a
master blacksmith and philosopher, who was famed for creating such oversized
objects densely decorated with inscriptions explaining their purpose – swords, for
instance, that should protect but not kill, candles of wisdom and keys that only
God could turn. Locals both feared him and sought his blessings believing that
he possessed super natural powers. His zawiya, or mausoleum, in Kairouan has
been turned into a museum. Preserved within are a great number of essentially
dysfunctional giant objects, including swords very similar to that offered here.
His personal sword, which is near identical to this in style, is preserved in the
museum associated with the Great Mosque of Kairouan.
It is said that worshippers could take clay impressions of these giant swords as
religious protectorate symbols of reverence.

Detail of the plaque affixed to the sword

12 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.