Jambiya

Description

Jambiya or dagger with curved watered steel blade with pronounced longitudinal ridge, engraved scrolled ornamentation in damascened gold occupying the upper third of the blade, with ivory handle decorated with figures and an inscription at the base: Middle East, Iran, 17th century

Museum reference

A.1890.302

Collection

Weapons and Accessories

Object name

Jambiya, Dagger

Production information

Iran, West Asia

Date

17th century

Materials

Steel, Gold, Ivory, Emerald, Turquoise

Physical description

Steel blade with engraved scrolled ornamentation in damascened gold; ivory handle decorated with figures and an inscription at the base; pommel set with emerald and turquoise. Inscription Translation: (Side A) There will be no order unless you intervene (Side B) The handle of your dagger conquers the world even though it’s handful of bone.

Associations

Paris Exhibition of 1889