AMERON LOFTS
Home of the Oriental Rollers and the Damascenes
Some Damascene history, their European Standard and a few pictures.....
This page under construction for a while... 7/ 8/ 10
Please notice amoung other things, the excellent pigmentation of the eye and the eye cere. The deeper the ruby color the better.
Damascene Pigeons / Mahomets
(The following information taken from searching the internet and from (like everyone else) the book of the renowned writer of pigeon books, Wendell M. Levi)
Encyclopedia of Pigeon Breeds, by Levi, pg 102 states…
“Origin---Middle East. An ancient breed from the Syria-Lebanon area, exact country uncertain. Early English writers (Willughby, 1676, and Moore, 1735) called it Mahomet and thought Turkey was its land of origin. Its name infers that it came form Damascus, in Syria. However, the Syrian name of it, Buz, meaning “icy” or “ frosty”, is a Persian word, thus raising the very strong inference that the Damascene came originally form Persia (Iran). Damascus is thought by some, to be the oldest city in the world, and it is impossible to be positive about the place of origin of any eastern breed that may have been in existence for a thousand or more years.”
Levi goes on the say.. “Strictly an exhibition bird in the United States. In Syria it is a free-flying bird,a good flier, and forages for its feed.”
Others say….
The Damascene Pigeon originated somewhere in the Middle East, though exactly where is lost in the span of time. Even in the 17th century it was regarded as an old breed. Its two most striking features are the dark plum colored eye ceres and its bright ruby eyes. Although it is an exhibition breed in modern times, they were developed for flight and still do best if they get a fair amount of flying exercise. They seem to be good homing birds and remember where their loft is located. The Damascene is still a rare breed in the United States, 2010. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is it a Mahomet, or is it a Damascene… Some two hundred years later in A Treatise of Domestic Pigeons, it is suggested that they were then called Mahomets because of their association with Islam and Muhammad. Therein he provides us with the tale that a Mahomet (Damascene) whispered the dictates of God, into Muhammad’s ear. This bird, the Holy Spirit, told Muhammad of the Almighty and from that day forward was given the name Mahomet. Well.., at least until the Europeans started calling it the Damascene. (The Treatise 1765, p. 141) says: “ It is the opinion of many fanciers that the bird called the Mahomet is nearly of a cream colour (the cream of goats milk being white) with bars a cross the wings as black as ebony, the feather very particular, being of two colours: The upper part of surface of them, appearing of a cream and underneath a sort of sooty colour, nearly approaching to black; as are likewise the flue-feather and even the skin, which I never observed in any other pigeon but these.” Apparently the Damascene was very rare in England, right up through the time of Brent 1859, who had only seen one pair. And Tegetmeier 1868 had never seen the breed. (Lyell 1887,p.132) says a pair of Mahomets were imported into England by Boyd of Edinburgh in 1868. These pigeons were imported from Constantinople (Istanbul) and were sold to James Wallace of Glasgow. When Wallace showed them in 1869, he referred to them as Damascenes. And the rest, as they say, is history.. Records show that Damascenes continued to be imported into Europe from Afghanistan as late as 1914. It is, therefore, evident that the breed was rather widespread throughout the middle east. But the breed did not fare well in Europe through the intervening world wars, and actually died out in Europe by the end of the second world war. Luckily, they have since been re-introduced, and are again found throughout Europe and North America. Though now considered an exhibition breed, the Turks were using the Damascene for flying as late as 1954. If at all possible, Damascenes should be afforded ample flying exercise. Their frosty colors are a sight to behold against a blue sky as they dart, dive, and slice the air with their graceful flight. They are agile, energetic flyers, and there is really no danger of them straying from the home loft. The Damascene presents a bold and vigorous carriage of about 15 ounces. The males on average are an ounce or two heavier than the females. The English Owl has a similar head and beak structure and many believe the Damascene was used in the development of the English Owl. Two distinctive points, peculiar to these birds, set the Damascene apart from all other breeds of pigeon. The large bright eyes surrounded with the damson purple/blue eye ceres and the color of their plumage, which is of a clear milky or frosted silver, providing the perfect contrasting backdrop for their intense ebony black wing bars. Though the plumage of these birds is so smooth and light on the outer surface, the under hue of those of the neck, is a dark color. The skin of the cere, beak and nails are also black or nearly so. With the legs and feet being a very dark red. Unfortunately, only a few discriminating fanciers breed this exotic, strikingly beautiful bird. It is still rather a novelty, and is considered a rare breed in the United States. Even though it is a rare breed, it is widely dispersed and can be located without a great deal of effort. Prices for these pigeons are also relatively inexpensive. (So Fulton and Lumly say in 1895) 1 The head is fairly large and somewhat round with no flatness, and with moderate stop over the wattle. 2 Eye ceres of damson or dark plum in color, the darker the better. 3 Eyes very bright, deep red, with ruby red being preferred. 4 The Damascene is a "one color" pigeon, but with this one color who needs anything else? It is a very smooth, even 'Ice' color (like that of ice on a pond), of the same shade and intensity over the head, neck, shoulders, body, rump and tail, with the exception of the ebony black wing bars, tail bar, and flights. The underside of the feathers should be a dark sooty hue, including dark to nearly black cere skin, beak, nails, and legs. 5 Two ebony black wing bars must run parallel to each other and extend across the entire shield. 6 The heart shaped wattle is moderate in size and chalky white in color. 7 The blunt beak is dark colored and stocky, being nearly as wide as long. While relatively short for pigeons in general, it must be long enough to feed its own young. The upper mandible has a slight downward curve. 8 The breast is broad, prominent and protrudes forward. 9 The wings are held tight against the body, lying over the tail with the tips just touching. 10 The feet and legs are dark red with black toenails, and are free of feathers below the hock joint. For the complete proper Standard on this breed, please see the English / German “Damascene Show Standard“. As I believe the American Standard is misleading in a few places. As Mick Bassett is quick to point out, since it is considered an English breed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As with many ancient breeds, it is impossible to determine the definitive origin of the Damascene. Damascenes, or Mahomets, as they are often referred to in early written and oral accounts, are even mentioned on Egyptian papyrus rolls and stone carvings. Although it is commonly believed that the Damascene originated in Damascus, Syria (hence the name Damascene), there are indications that the breed might have been developed in either Turkey or Iran (Persia). By the eye color, it would seem to come from Iran, or even further east. Even back then in the 17th century, Willughby (1676) described the breed as being an old breed. He compares the large beautiful dark eye ceres of the Mahomets to the "large, dark eyes" of the people from Middle Eastern countries. The dark plum colored eye ceres and bright lively eyes are one of the two main features that make this breed so strikingly attractive.
(Fulton and Lumly 1895, p.359) give a rather full and complete description of the breed under the name of Damascene and prefered that to the name Mahomet.
(I the site owner in 2010, must disagree if your looking for quality Damascenes in the United States. As you’ll look long and hard for the following type.)
Show elements to look for in this breed include:
English Show Standard for Damascene
History/Origin, From the Middle East, possibly the oldest of all pigeon breeds. * Colour and markings, the feathers are overall an even 'Ice' colour, the underfeather is a dark blue/grey,(charcoal grey) strongest in the neck and breast, less in the belly and hindparts. When the pigeon is at rest, the overall colour must be seen as a clear, even 'Ice' colour, when the pigeon is disturbed, then the dark underfeather may be seen. ******************************************************** *Note, 'Ice' colour is described as "Pale, as with milk poured over ice. Ice covering deep water", (a greyish off-white) a blue tone is heavily penalised as is a purple-green sheen to the neck. The correct discription to the neck/body sheen would be a light 'Mother of Pearl' sheen.*
Overall impression, medium size, rounded form, almost horizontal posture (the underline), lively but very friendly, only bred in Ice Colour, with black-bars.
Head, broad, in profile, Oval/round, without any flatness or squareness, when viewed from above, pear-shaped.
Eye, a fiery Ruby Red, the Eye-Cere fine and double ringed (not course), a blue/black colour.Beak, medium length, strong and from the side deep (almost triangular shape), the beak-line to be level with the middle of the eye, colour black, beak-Cere smooth and well blended with the profile (not course or 'proud').
Neck, medium length, full at the shoulders slightly tapering to the head, a small but definate Dewlap.
Breast, broad, full and round.Back, broad and slightly sloping.
Wings, strong and broad, not too long, well covering the back and an even colour.
Tail, not too long, well closed and held in a smooth line with the back.
Legs, medium length, broadly spaced, nail colour black, unfeathered.
Feather, tight, smooth feathering.
Colours, only Ice colour, with black-bars.
The bars on the wings and tail should not be too narrow and must be black, the tail tip behind the bars must be pale, with the clear, even and very pale 'Ice' Ground colour.
The lower back will appear almost white. Primary feathers should be as dark as possible (desired black).
Faults:
Small,
Flat or angular head.
Light reddish or pale eye colour.
Eye-Cere too narrow .
Beak too long, thin, or short or pale in colour.
Neck long or thin, a 'Stallion' neck (rising behind the head) is not desired.
No 'Dewlap', loose feathering in the neck.
Weak, narrow or flat breast,
Narrow across the back, long or narrow wings,
Long tail, too high on the leg.
Pale coloured nails.
A Dark or uneven colour to the neck and breast, an uneven wing shield colour,
Very dark under-tail coverts.
Pure white too the belly or thighs.
Order of importance:
Breed Type and Balance,
Body form and Posture.
Overall preparation,
Head, Eye and Eye-cere.
Neck and Dewlap,
Colour.
Ring Size: 8
