Lot 233
  • 233

An Ottoman dagger with wooden hilt and nielloed scabbard, Turkey, 17th century

Estimate
8,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description

  • steel, wood, silver
the watered-steel double-edged blade with three grooves in centre and gilt-inlay three-star motif near forte on both edges, the furrowed wooden hilt with silver mounts, scabbard decorated in repoussé and niello with floral vines on one side, the other side incised and nielloed with floral medallions  

Condition

In general good condition, some minor knocks and scratches to hilt and scabbard consistent with age and use, the blade with minor oxidisation, possibly re-mounted in hilt at later period (as indicated by part of 3-gold-star motif hidden), as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A dagger and scabbard of related form and decoration is now in the Dresden Armoury (inv. no. Y 134, see Schucket 2010, pp.88-9). Entering the collection between 1695-97, the Dresden dagger provides a terminus ante quem for the dating of this group of daggers characterised by ridged wooden hilts with grooved blades featuring gold-inlaid stellar motifs near the forte. The scabbards are also decorated in the same fashion, with a floral design at the front worked in repoussé with niello details, and with sketchy nielloed foliate motifs to the reverse. Another similar dagger with a ridged wooden hilt and niello and repoussé scabbard, attributed to circa 1650, is illustrated in Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 4 May-31 July 1988, pp.32-33, no.32.

Another comparable example, with a wooden hilt and ridged steel blade set with eight gold stars is in the Badisches Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe, Germany, inv. no. D.269 (see: The Arts of Islam, Hayward Gallery, 9 April-4 July 1976, The Arts Council of Great Britain, 1976, p.164, no.165).