Knife Blade

Unknown

11th–13th century · Steel, gold · Arms and Armor

The finely damascened gold ornament on this diminutive blade identifies it as belonging to a small and only recently recognized group of similarly decorated knives. Based on the style of decoration, they have been attributed to the Ghaznavid or Seljuq dynasties, which once ruled parts of present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and northern India.

Artist

Unknown

Date

11th–13th century

Medium

Steel, gold

Culture

Afghan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2005