Dagger with Sheath

Unknown

blade, mid-16th century; hilt and scabbard, probably mid-16th century · Steel, iron, wood, leather, gold · Arms and Armor

Near Eastern blades were valued highly in Europe, and many fine examples were exported and mounted with European hilts. In this example, the Ottoman blade has been fitted with a hilt and sheath damascened with gold arabesques of Middle Eastern inspiration. The blade is inscribed in Persian (one of the languages of the Ottoman court): It is a dagger since it attempted [to take] the life of the unfaithful lover. My Turk took it [wrapped in gold] and bound it to his sash.

Artist

Unknown

Date

blade, mid-16th century; hilt and scabbard, probably mid-16th century

Medium

Steel, iron, wood, leather, gold

Culture

blade, Turkish; hilt and scabbard, European, possibly Italian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Jean Jacques Reubell, in memory of his mother, Julia C. Coster, and of his wife, Adeline E. Post, both of New York City, 1926