Pallasch
- Culture: blade - Italian, Milan (with Ottoman decorations), mount - Ottoman, vessel - Morocco
- Dated: 16th Century
- Material and Technique: blade of iron, forged, etched and engraved grip of iron, wood, horn
- Measurement: total length of 107.7cm; blade 93.9cm; weight 1817g
Elector Christian I of Saxony received the saber as a gift in 1587 by Francesco I de ‘Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. This weapon is one in many respects to the peculiarities of the Turkish Chamber. First and foremost, the impressive appearance is mentioned, which is caused by the massive, ornate edged blade.
This saber is made of very different work areas. While the vessel is from Morocco and the typical form there corresponds with strongly angled work and s-shaped quillons, the blade is an Italian work. She has been a chosen, and was crowned Pi marked accordingly in Milan.
The blade was then decorated in the Orient. The etched and partly engraved decoration consists of medallions with stripes and scrolls, flowers and leaves. The middle stripe is a Spanish inscription found in a secret script-like character.
How did this strange mixture of different origins is not yet clear. Could possibly play in the events following the reconquest of Spain by 1492. Many Spanish Jews left the country after the conquest of Granada and moved some of North Africa in the dominion of the Ottomans.
Source & Copyright: Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
