Enrica Medugno
Senior Sale Coordinator
Lot 84R
A Qajar enamelled steel dagger (jambiyya) Persia, 19th Century
22 May 2025, 11:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £4,096 inc. premium
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Oliver White
Head of Department
A Qajar enamelled steel dagger (jambiyya)
Persia, 19th Century
Persia, 19th Century
the pattern-welded steel blade of slightly curved form, chased and decorated in gold overlay with a snake running down the centre of both sides, the forte to both sides with an inscription-filled cartouche on a ground of floral interlace, the waisted hilt decorated in polychrome enamel with roundels and cartouches depicting various rulers, including Afrasiyab, and other figures, the sides with cartouches containing inscriptions, all on a ground of floral interlace, the wood scabbard clad in copper and decorated ensuite, with fitted case
45.9 cm. long
45.9 cm. long
Footnotes
Provenance
Private UK collection, acquired at Sotheby's, Islamic and Indian Art, 20 October 1994, lot 134.
Inscriptions: including two couplets from a qasidah by the poet Anvari (1126–1189) in praise of Sultan Sanjar; figures identified including Afrasiyab, Sanjar Shah, Hurmuz and Bahram.
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian) and Syrian origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.