Jambiya

Description

Jambiya or dagger with double-edged curved steel blade ornamented with false gold damascening depicting scrolls and flower decoration at the forte, with ivory handle carved with a princely figure or ruler standing on a reclining lion, and what appears to be a royal audience scene: Iran, probably 19th century

Museum reference

A.1890.289

Collection

Weapons and Accessories

Object name

Jambiya, Dagger

Production information

Iran, West Asia

Date

19th century

Materials

Steel, Gold, Ivory, Turquoise

Physical description

Steel blade with gold damascening; ivory handle carved with scenes and decorated with narrow panels of tiny turquoises

Associations

Paris Exhibition of 1889

References

Stone, G.C. Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor, New York, 1961, pp. 310 - 314, fig. 396

Dreaming of Paradise: Islamic Art from the Collection of the Museum of Ethnology Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 1993, p. 195, no 167

Raby, Julian Qajar Portraits, London and New York, 1999, p. 92, no 135