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Saudi Arabia

Sabre and scabbard c.1940-43

Gold, ivory, diamonds, steel | RCIN 62516

Grand Vestibule, Windsor Castle

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  • A Saudi Arabian shamshir with a gold hilt encrusted on the outer face with diamonds and an ivory grip mounted with three diamond-set flowers. The inner face of the hilt is cut and engraved with foliate decoration. The guard chain is mounted with diamonds and two small rectangular panels of filigree, and the spine of thegrip set with filigree.  The top of the cross guard is bound with gold wire.  The curved single edge steel blade has one fuller on each face running for most of the central section.

    The wood-lined scabbard is mounted with maroon leather, gold chape suspension loops and a locket. The gold fittings are set with diamonds. On the locket is a diamond cartouche with the national arms of Saudi Arabia: a palm tree over crossed shamshirs. On the chape at the top is a diamond-set Tree of Life.

    Provenance


    A gift to King George VI from the King of Saudi Arabia, Abd Al'Aziz. Presented at Buckingham Palace by the King's sons, Amir Faisal and Amir Khalid in 1943.

  • Medium and techniques

    Gold, ivory, diamonds, steel

  • Category
  • Place of Production

    Saudi Arabia