THE SCABBARD, MOUNTS AND HILT OTTOMAN TURKEY, SECOND HALF 18TH OR EARLY 19TH CENTURY; THE BLADE DATED AH 1220/1805-6 AD

The chased and engraved silver scabbard is of a style that first became popular at the end of the 16^th century (David Alexander, The Arts of War: Arms and Armour of the 7^th to 19^th centuries, Oxford, 1992, no. 49, p. 100). The interlacing floral decoration of saz leaves and hatayi flowers compares closely to objects made by the Ottoman atelier in the mid-16^th century. However, the dragon’s head at the tip of the scabbard is simpler in design to similar made during the reign of Sultan Suleyman (r. 1520-66) which would suggest these scabbards are first made slightly later. This style remained popular as late as the early 19th century. Another scabbard of this type is published in Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour. A Lifetime’s Passion, London, 2013, no.187, p.84.

The outwards facing decoration of the scabbard and dagger mounts on the present dagger are very similar to the above group but it is decoration that would have faced the wearer's body (that on the suspension side) makes this dagger even more noteworthy. Done in niello, the decoration on this side shows the Sultan engaged in a variety of pursuits of leisure. At the top a chiselled panel contains a lady seated with a wine cup and decanter either side of her. Either side of this panel we see the sultan engaged in drinking, hunting and other pursuits. At the chape is another chiselled panel containing an erotic scene. Beneath this is a figure enjoying musicians from a balcony, a couple sat in an amorous embrace, and at the bottom a Sufi hunched over his crutch.

The blade carries a gold inscription in the name of Sultan Selim III and the date AH 1220/1805-06 AD. The Sultan was a keen patron of the arts and in particular music, which perhaps relates to the musicians depicted in niello on our scabbard.