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Dagger (Jambiya)

ca. 1825–50
Not on view
While figural representations are uncommon in Islamic art outside of painting, human figures are regularly encountered in Iranian art from the Qajar period (1797–1925), which was strongly influenced by European models. The ivory grip of this dagger is carved with the figure of a Sufi mystic, who is identifiable from his pointed hat, staff topped with a hoopoe (an exotic bird mentioned in the Qur'an), and beggar’s bowl suspended on his arm. One of the carved inscriptions alludes to the weapon’s power: “The handle of your dagger is world-seizing.”

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dagger (Jambiya)
  • Date: ca. 1825–50
  • Culture: Iranian
  • Medium: Steel, ivory
  • Dimensions: L. 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm); L. of blade 10 1/4 in. (25.9 cm); W. 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm); Wt. 14.3 oz. (405.4 g)
  • Classification: Daggers
  • Credit Line: John Stoneacre Ellis Collection, Gift of Mrs. Ellis and Augustus Van Horne Ellis, 1896
  • Object Number: 96.5.138
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Dagger (Kard) with Sheath, Steel, ivory, gold, wood, leather, iron, Persian, Qajar
Dagger (Kard) with Sheath
Persian, Qajar
ca. 1800
Dagger (Kindjal) with Sheath, Steel, wood, silver, niello, Caucasian, possibly northern Dagestan
Dagger (Kindjal) with Sheath
Caucasian, possibly northern Dagestan
ca. 1840–50
Dagger (Kindjal) with Scabbard, Steel, wood, silver, niello, Caucasian, possibly Kubachi, Dagestan
Dagger (Kindjal) with Scabbard
Caucasian, possibly Kubachi, Dagestan
dated A.H. 1234/A.D 1818–19
Miquelet Pistol, Steel, silver, niello, leather, ivory, gold, Caucasian, possibly Georgia or Circassia
Miquelet Pistol
Caucasian, possibly Georgia or Circassia
dated A.H. 1263/1846–47 CE
Dagger (Kard), Steel, ivory (walrus), gold, Iranian
Dagger (Kard)
Iranian
dated A.H. 1220/1805–6 CE

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