Antique Turkish Ottoman Islami or Eastern European Mace Bulava
$30,000.00
Antique 17th -19th century jeweled ceremonial mace Bulava in Imperial Ottoman fashion, Ottoman Empire, or Eastern Europe.
The onion-shaped partially gilt copper head is encased in, chased, and engraved with stylized floral motifs and set with natural turquoise stones of various sizes and shapes.
The shaft comprises upper and lower copper tubes, chased and engraved with stylized floral motifs and set with various sizes and shapes of natural turquoise stones, ensuite to the head of the mace.
The middle portion of the shaft is made of wood and covered with sharkskin.
Next to the large central turquoise on the lower shaft collar is an engraved trident symbol, possibly indicating the maker's mark or the owner's coat of arms.
NOTE: Such ceremonial maces emerged in the Turkish Ottoman Empire from the late 16th century and remained made and used throughout the 19th century as the symbol of rank and authority of the chief commanders of the Ottoman army.
During the 17th to 19th century, the Ottoman court frequently presented luxurious maces as diplomatic gifts to Eastern Europe's highest military-rank army commanders, such as the Hungarians, Russians, Poles, Ukrainians, and Don Cossacks. Some ceremonial maces in the Ottoman style were also produced in Eastern Europe during this period.
So, it is very difficult to date those maces, except when associated with historical figures.
REFERENCES with a comparable mace:
1. "Украина- козацька держава" by Володимир Недяк (Ukrainian Cossack State).
2. A comparable Ottoman mace dated to the 19th century bearing the tughra of The Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid (ruled 1839-1861) is published in the book "Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour: A Lifetime's Passion" by Robert Hales on page 329, Fig 794.
3. A Related 19th-century ceremonial mace of Theodoros Kolokotronis is published in the book "The Arms of Greece and Her Balkan Neighbors in the Ottoman Period" by Elgood Robert on page 255, Fig
4. "Régi Magyar Fegyverek" by Dr. Kalmar Janos.
The buyer will receive a copy of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.
MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 55 cm (21.65 inches)
Width of the head: 9 cm (3.54 inches)
WEIGHT: 912 grams (2.064 lb.)
CONDITION:
The item is in good condition overall. The copper mounting has developed a dark brown patina, and there is a minor dent on the copper head. Additionally, the gilding on the head and shaft has mostly worn away. Finally, a turquoise stone is missing from the shaft's upper mounting.
To see all 20 pictures of the mace please see the link below:
https://www.antiquesword101.com/Islamic-Oriental-Arms-and-Armor.php#!/Antique-Turkish-Ottoman-or-Eastern-European-Jeweled-Ceremonial-Mace-Bulava/p/646790252/category=3736928