ETHIOPIAN CAVALRY SWORD ca.1890

This Ethiopian Imperial cavalry saber dates to the last quarter of 19th century. Curved blade is profusely decorated with floriform and military motifs, Ethiopian script, and the Ethiopian Royal Crest. British-made blade was sharpened for battle and is straight and true. German silver reverse P-shaped hilt is in fine shape, topped by the Lion of Judah pommel. Enameled wooden grip shows loss of covering in the bottom-most part. Leather scabbard retains about 60% of its traditional ornamental leather work. A very nice an uncommon sword for a collector of Islamic weapons, as well as a collector of Italian swords and Ethiopian and Abyssinian artifacts.