1: A dagger of the type known as ‘Khanjar’, formerly used in Turkey, Persia and North India. Both sides of the slightly curved steel blade are corrugated and decorated with elaborate gold and silver damascening in three areas: The part of the blade nearest to the hilt contains a depiction of a mosque with two minarets as well as five inscriptions in Arabic script, all in gold and silver. Trimmed with geometric hatchings and leafy gold tendrils. Two more damascened medallions of gold leafy tendrils adorn both the middle of the blade and its tip on each side.
The hilt is made of richly engraved cast brass and covered with two roses made of seven cut and mounted coral pearls each. The wooden sheath is cloaked with sheet metal consisting of weak silver alloy. The silvery section displays a rich décor, embossed and engraved on both sides: vertical ornamental lines surround medallions with weapons and flowers. In the middle, a round medallion features the name of ‘Allah’ in Arabic script. At the upper end, the sheath is enveloped in a cast, embossed, engraved and pierced copper cuff with floral motifs in two all-round wide bands. On the front side, each of these ornamental bands is decorated with three mounted, cut and fluted red coral pearls. The sheath terminates in copper and brass wraps as well as a bud made of cast, engraved brass. A very elaborately crafted ceremonial and prestige object. L: 46 cm.
2: Another Turkish-Ottoman dagger. With slightly curved, double-edged steel blade. The area of the blade nearest to the hilt is damascened on both sides with inscriptions in Arabic script and leafy gold tendrils. The hilt and the sheath terminating in a bud are cloaked in a detailed, very finely crafted lattice made of thin wire. This thin wire consists of a good silver alloy. L: 42.5 cm.
Both objects: 18th/19th century. (ME)