Ottoman Dharia

[TVV]

I agree with Kubur at least as far as the blade is concerned - the parallel fullers and the koftgari at the ricasso are reminiscent of Syrian daggers, which in their turn were probably influenced by Caucasian kindjals which spread there with the Circassian diaspora.

Scabbards encased in metal with floral motives with velvet under/between the metal parts can be found in the Balkans and Asia Minor as well, for example on yataghans, but I am more inclined to agree with Stu that the style looks Indian rather than Balkan/Anatolian.

Regards,
Teodor

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by TVV

Scabbards encased in metal with floral motives with velvet under/between the metal parts can be found in the Balkans and Asia Minor as well, for example on yataghans, but I am more inclined to agree with Stu that the style looks Indian rather than Balkan/Anatolian.

Regards,
Teodor

I was reminded of this one which is said to be Indian.

[Kubur]

Dear All,

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments and pictures.

Yes, the last photograph is an Indian dagger.

But for the middle section of the scabbard, you can find velvet or leather in most of the daggers produced during this period (19th) from Morocco to Syria...

One of the books mentioned is Robert Hales.

One more word, the Dharia are mentioned by the French in 1798 as conventional equipment of the Mamluks in Egypt... It's the reason why I was wondering if this kind of dagger is really from Arabia...