Dagger (jambiya) and sheath

Bitlis, Turkey, early 20th century

Damascus steel; horn; wood; engraved, nielloed and partially gilt silver; velvet.

L. 40 cm

UMP 4632

Purchased in Sarajevo in 1911.

Originating from the Kurdish region of eastern Turkey, this dagger features a Damascus steel blade and horn hilt. The wooden sheath is lined with velvet. Both the hilt and sheath are covered with hammered silver and decorated with engraved and nielloed ornamentation of foliage with flowers; oval medallions adorn the upper section of the sheath. A tughra, the calligraphic monogram of an Ottoman sultan, is inside the medallion on one side; on the other is an Arabic inscription with the date 1319 anno Hegirae (i.e., 1901–1902) and designation of the location where the dagger was produced – Bitlis, a predominantly Kurdish city near Lake Van in the east of what is today Turkey.

Weapons such as these were very costly and symbolised the owner’s social status. Josef Škorpil purchased many of these weapons from antique dealers in Dubrovnik and Sarajevo. (JMl)