Help Identifying This Islamic Dagger's Origin...and translation

CharlesS · 10th August 2010, 01:59 PM

To my eye this dagger exhibits clear Arab and Indo-Persian influences. I am wondering if it may be from the western shores of India. The wootz is of good quality and high contrast. The silver work is very detailed and nicely crafted in typical Islamic floral motifs.

Can anyone translate the inscription to one side of the scabbard???

Thanks in advance for any help and comments.

TVV · 10th August 2010, 04:59 PM

What a wonderful dagger! I believe I have seen similar daggers on Oriental Arms, where the person who perhaps knows the most about them, identifies this type as coming from Afghanistan. It would be interesting to see if the inscription is in a language that may corroborate this origin.
Regards,
Teodor

Dom · 10th August 2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Can anyone translate the inscription to one side of the scabbard???

hi Charles
someone reading Farsi, or ?
but for sure, it's not in Arabic language

à +

Dom

CharlesS · 10th August 2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks guys.

I may be totally wrong, but this one just doesn't seem to have an Afghan "flavor" to me.

Lew · 10th August 2010, 06:23 PM

Charles

I am not to sure if Afghans carried jambiya? This seems more Persian to me.

Dom · 10th August 2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

This seems more Persian to me.

you might be correct,
Farci is the language of Persians

à +

Dom

CharlesS · 10th August 2010, 08:37 PM

The blade style certainly seems Persian, but the scabbard seems Arab....that's why I am thinking Indo-Arab...northern, or west coast India.

kahnjar1 · 11th August 2010, 06:47 AM

........what ever it is, it's a VERY nice piece.
Stu

Tim Simmons · 11th August 2010, 07:46 AM

Agian I do not know is this helps or not but having established the script is Farsi and Persian this might help with a more pin point origin. Look at the work especially on the handle and then look at this traditional rug design form from a region and town of Veramin. Some similarity?

Picture from "The Atlas Of Rugs and Carpets" and one I have.

http://www.bukhara-carpets.com/orien...pet-D1251.html

http://www.jozan.net/distrikter/veramin.asp

PS also spelled Varamin.

10th August 2010, 01:59 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Help Identifying This Islamic Dagger's Origin...and translation To my eye this dagger exhibits clear Arab and Indo-Persian influences. I am wondering if it may be from the western shores of India. The wootz is of good quality and high contrast. The silver work is very detailed and nicely crafted in typical Islamic floral motifs. Can anyone translate the inscription to one side of the scabbard??? Thanks in advance for any help and comments. Attached Images

11th August 2010, 07:46 AM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Agian I do not know is this helps or not but having established the script is Farsi and Persian this might help with a more pin point origin. Look at the work especially on the handle and then look at this traditional rug design form from a region and town of Veramin. Some similarity? Picture from "The Atlas Of Rugs and Carpets" and one I have. http://www.bukhara-carpets.com/orien...pet-D1251.html http://www.jozan.net/distrikter/veramin.asp PS also spelled Varamin. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th August 2010 at 08:31 PM.

10th August 2010, 04:59 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	What a wonderful dagger! I believe I have seen similar daggers on Oriental Arms, where the person who perhaps knows the most about them, identifies this type as coming from Afghanistan. It would be interesting to see if the inscription is in a language that may corroborate this origin. Regards, Teodor

10th August 2010, 06:01 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks guys. I may be totally wrong, but this one just doesn't seem to have an Afghan "flavor" to me.

10th August 2010, 06:23 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Charles I am not to sure if Afghans carried jambiya? This seems more Persian to me.

10th August 2010, 08:37 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The blade style certainly seems Persian, but the scabbard seems Arab....that's why I am thinking Indo-Arab...northern, or west coast India.

11th August 2010, 06:47 AM	#8
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	........what ever it is, it's a VERY nice piece. Stu