Afghan short sword. Iron frame, entirely decorated... Lot 117

Afghan short sword. Iron frame, entirely decorated with gold and silver damascened flowers. Shield-shaped pommel, baluster-shaped spindle. Guard with two quillons curved towards the tip and cut-out half-orillons. Straight, two-edged blade with swollen heel decorated in gold and silver damascene, median edge and double hollow sides on each side. A.B.E. Early 19th century. Blade length: 48 cm. Total length: 59 cm. Provenance : -Former Buttin collection, n°711, plate XXII. -Former Colonel Le Mao collection, n°53, sale December 13, 1984. History: We quote the appreciation of the Buttin collection catalog. "Very well preserved weapon, of a very special and rare type, of which we know of no other example, either in the Moser collection, or in Mr. Holstein's collection, which is so rich in weapons from India, or in museum catalogs".