Dagger (Kindjal) with Sheath

Unknown

ca. 1840–50 · Steel, wood, silver, niello · Arms and Armor

This dagger has two central grooves in its steel blade. The handle and sheath have been decorated in niello, a black substance containing silver, copper, lead, and sulphur, that is a striking contrast to the silver ground. In the Caucasus, daggers such as this one were inseparable companions of Caucasian men and used for a variety of purposes, such as weapons, cork screws, and paper cutters, as well as dance accessories. Nineteenth-century photographs of Caucasian men in native dress frequently include such daggers, which are attached to their belts in a diagonal manner.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1840–50

Medium

Steel, wood, silver, niello

Culture

Caucasian, possibly northern Dagestan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881