Fine Persian Tabarzin Saddle Axe

 A beautiful Persian War or Saddle Axe circa 1800. Heavy steel head beautifully chiselled with scenes of animals and fighting and floral decoration, surrounded by a scrolling gold border.. The reverse chiselled with two animals, the upper and lower faces of the head also chiselled. The shaft finely embossed with repeating panels of niches of flower heads, in three seperate sections, silver gilt.  These axes were designed only for war and were small enough to be handled easily whilst being robust enough to be effective against armour. This piece dates to the late 18th century or very early years of the 19th. Some minor damage to the shaft with some old holes, and crumpling, age wear overall.