19.5cm curved damascus blade, characteristic carved walrus hilt, contained in it its white metal wrapped wooden scabbard, decorated with scrolling foliage and Tulip heads. As early as the 15th Century Istanbul exported Tulips, one of the national symbols of Turkey, throughout the Ottoman Empire and to Holland. The 17th Century saw an increase in the spread and appreciation of tulips globally and within Turkey itself the 18th Century became the pinnacle of Tulip appreciation.