Dagger

Datehilt about 1700–1750, blade 1860–1861

Mediumsteel, russeted iron, gold

Dimensions6 × 41 cm (2 3/8 × 16 1/8 in.), 1 lb, 1 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsUnderside of hilt at blade inscribed in gold Arabic script, "Made by Othman." The medial line of both faces of the blade is similarly inscribed "Made by Shàban Ziya (?)." The blade is dated 1277 A.H. (20 July 1860-8 July 1861).

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.485.1

DescriptionDouble-edge steel blade of flattened hexagonal section, both edges sharpened, and with a thick, reinforced tip of diamond section, to pierce mail. The blade has a flat, central rib running full-length on both faces, which has a pair of parallel, short fullers at about mid-length separated by an incised six pointed star from a single longer one below. The sharpened edges are each bordered by an incised, deep line that extends to the top. The upper quarter of the blade faces are decorated with gold koftgari of Arabic script in the central rib, divided by three silvered, six-pointed stars, the whole within a thin framed cartouche. To either side, the blade faces are decorated in a similar manner with undulating, thin foliate tendrils. All of this decoration is on a finely cross-hatched ground. The blade is well made, but less fine than the hilt.

Hourglass-shaped russeted iron hilt, knurled at top & bottom, with mid-height finial knop. Hilt worked in gold leaf with floral pattern, more finely executed than the koft-gari on the blade, notably with scribed decoration on the gold. Top of hilt set with green faceted stone. The hilt is flared at top and bottom with a molded band at mid-grip. It is of elliptical section at top and bottom, and generally oval, with a low ridge front and rear, in the grip. The molded band is beaded above and below and engraved with floral motives; it might cover a structural seam between the top and bottom halves. The pommel is curved, and surmounted with a green gemstone in an elliptical brass casing. There is a slight hint of the V-shape found here in yataghans and similar arms. The grip is much more worn than the blade.

The hilt is symmetrically decorated on both faces with gilded lobated cartouches at the base, above and below the band, and with a trilobated leafed motif between a pair of leaves on either side, at the pommel. Extending down either side of the hilt is a band of undulating floral veins between two pair of narrow lines. The remaining spaces overall are filled by a more or less symmetrical maze of foliage and flowers. The gilded cartouches are also cut with floral motives which also helps to "key" the gold leaf. The underside of the hilt at the blade has a gilded web – like decor, and a pair of trilobated cartouches, each with Arabic script, facing one another, on the front and back faces.
ProvenancePurchased by the Museum at the Morosini sale (October 10-15, 1932) at American Art Association (NYC), lot #61. Paid $17.50 for lot. Collection transfer from Higgins Armore, January 2014.

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