#arabesques

Nouvelle collection d’arabesques – Alexandre Lenoir 1810

Knife with Ivory Hilt
Object Name: Dagger
Date: 19th century
Geography: Iran
Culture: Islamic
Medium: Steel, watered; ivory and gold

“Damascus” or “Watered” steel refers to blades like this one that have been given a wavy or “watered” pattern, created by specific smelting and crucible techniques, prior to forging. In Western Europe such blades were believed to originate from Damascus, though this technique was practiced in the Islamic Middle East at least since the Middle Ages. This 19th century example illustrates how even in the later period of Islamic art these artistic traditions remain popular and celebrated.

The forte and hilt of the top dagger are covered with chiseled decoration of floral motifs, arabesques and cartouches containing ducks and lions– ornament that can be found on a variety of media in later Persian art.

The bottom dagger has been inscribed with Qur'anic passages on the forte of the blade, as well as on the ivory handle. The inclusion of holy words on this object imbues it with talismanic properties, believed to offer protection and ward off evil. The most efficacious talismanic objects are those that are inscribed with prayers that evoke the name of God, the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.