Ottoman Hancer
Ottoman Hancer
Ottoman Empire - Kurdistan (Eastern Turkey - Transcaucasia)
Mid- 19th century
Steel, ivory, metal alloy, wood, brass
Blade: 22,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 33,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 35,6cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 101
Ex. American Art Market (2019)
A fine Ottoman Hancer from the Eastern Ottoman Empire and Kurdistan region stretching into Transcaucasia. The heavy, double-edged curved steel blade has a prominent central ridge that follows into the point. The blade presents a faint crystalline pattern in entirely that would benefit from an etching. The I-shaped hilt carved from the inner core of a walrus tusk displaying beautiful marbling colorations and patterns. The central grip has a niello and stippled decorated collar that is likely from a rifle barrel band of Circassian origin, typical of Tiflis ornamentation.
The sheath of wood covered in embossed brass of traditional Eastern Ottoman decoration, reminiscent of Kurdish styling. Attached to the suspension loop on one side is an Ottoman Lira coin that looks to be 60 para. The coin is minted with the Tughra of Sultan Abdülmecid I, Kostantiniyye, 1255 (Struck in Constantinople 1839/40). A fine Ottoman hancer of good quality and ornamentation dating to around the mid- 19th century.
[1] Pinchot, Oliver S. 2014. “Arms of the Paladins”. Page 124. Cat. 6-19 (Rifle band of Circassia origin)
[2] https://oriental-arms.com/product/ottoman-jambiya-wootz/
[3] https://swordsantiqueweapons.com/s1002_full.html
[4] https://swordsantiqueweapons.com/s2054_full.html
[5] https://www.ancientarmsinc.com/work-avenue#/new-gallery-72/
[7] https://www.ashokaarts.com/sold-items/huge-turkish-ottoman-jambiya-dagger-with-gold-calligraphy/
[8] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/scarce-ottoman-turkish-dagger-jambya-c-1700-367-c-d50483c982