19th-20th century AD. An ornamental Turkish Yataghan, with double curved blade, tang without handle whose beak-shaped end widens laterally to form a flap or ear to fasten the handle; blade with Kufic inscription at both ends. See similar blades in Lebedynsky, J., Les Armes Orientales, Langres, 1992, pp.95ff. 345 grams, 69.5cm (27 1/4"). Property of an English gentleman; formerly with a UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Long swords or knives with incurving blades were known in Turkish as Yataghans. The cutting part was left on the internal side of the blade and the exterior was usually shouldered. The ubiquitous Arabic calligraphies on oriental blades are often used as decoration rather than to convey any message. [No Reserve] Condition Report Fair condition.