A Fine Steel Qajar Khanjar
A Fine Steel Qajar Khanjar
Likely Shiraz, Tehran, or Isfahan, Qajar Dynasty (Iran)
First half 19th century (ca. 1800 - 1830)
Iron, steel, gold
Blade: 20,6cm
Hilt & Blade: 32,4cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 34,3cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 234
Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2021)
A fine all steel khanjar from the Qajar Dynasty period of Iran. One of many examples of different styling during the Qajar period where Islamic art was revived from earlier periods in time.
The double- edged steel blade is widened at the base with a moderate curve. The steel is of high quality dark and light contrast of Persian mottled woodgrain wootz, also known as Kara Khorasan. The blade exhibits a strong central ridge in between two deep central fullers. The outside edges are rounded for approximately 1/2 of the blade's length before transitioning to a sharpened edge that tapers into a point. A raised chiseled panel of a hunting scene, likely a tiger and its prey (antelope?), is present at the forte with inlaid gold accents of the eyes and of the wounds Each panel is of a different hunting scene on each side.
The hilt composed of an I- shaped steel hilt of two- piece design fused together. Overlayed in decoration of gold floral and vine motif panels on five sides, including the pommel. Within the front and rear facing panel is overlayed in gold with the Russian characters on either side, the initials "B+D" with a cross between the lettering. Wooden sheath with leather covering. Some losses to the sheath tip and backside leather. Minor pitting to the blade.
A very intriguing example with personalized Russian characters overlayed in gold. It may have been commissioned for an Imperial Russian officer posted in Tehran after the Russo-Persian Wars of the early 19th century. The fine kara khorasan blade retains a clear and consistent pattern throughout. The black wootz was popular in Isfahan and widely traded throughout the Ottoman and Indian Empires, while the steel hilt type is attributed to Shiraz but could have been produced in any of the major cities within the empire. A unique and fine khanjar.
[1] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens” List No. 65; Item No. 32 (13954)
[2] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, List No. 119 Vol. x.; Item No. 29 (13953)
[3] Pinchot, Oliver S. 2014. “Arms of the Paladins”. Page 29. Cat. 3-22
[4] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32261
[5] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/persian-khanjar-dagger
[6] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/fine-wootz-khanjar
[7] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4533
[8] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2824
[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=6061
[10] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2556