Dagger (Kindjal) with Sheath

ca. 1840–50

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379

This dagger has two central grooves in its steel blade. The handle and sheath have been decorated in niello, a black substance containing silver, copper, lead, and sulphur, that is a striking contrast to the silver ground. In the Caucasus, daggers such as this one were inseparable companions of Caucasian men and used for a variety of purposes, such as weapons, cork screws, and paper cutters, as well as dance accessories. Nineteenth-century photographs of Caucasian men in native dress frequently include such daggers, which are attached to their belts in a diagonal manner.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Dagger (Kindjal) with Sheath
Date: ca. 1840–50
Culture: Caucasian, possibly northern Dagestan
Medium: Steel, wood, silver, niello
Dimensions: L. with sheath 23 1/8 in. (58.7 cm); L. of sheath 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm); W. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 4.8 oz. (589.7 g); Wt. of sheath 12 oz. (340.2 g)
Classification: Daggers
Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
Object Number: 81.1.599a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Dagger (Kindjal) with Scabbard, Steel, wood, silver, niello, Caucasian, possibly Kubachi, Dagestan — Dagger (Kindjal) with Scabbard
Caucasian, possibly Kubachi, Dagestan
dated A.H. 1234/A.D 1818–19

Miquelet Pistol, Steel, silver, niello, leather, ivory, gold, Caucasian, possibly Georgia or Circassia — Miquelet Pistol
Caucasian, possibly Georgia or Circassia
dated A.H. 1263/1846–47 CE

Dagger with Sheath, Steel, silver, niello, gold, Caucasian — Dagger with Sheath
Caucasian
early 19th century

Dagger (Kard) with Sheath, Steel, ivory, gold, wood, leather, iron, Persian, Qajar — Dagger (Kard) with Sheath
Persian, Qajar
ca. 1800

Sword with Scabbard, Steel, niello, textile, silver, wood, Caucasian — Sword with Scabbard
Caucasian
hilt, dated A.H. 1266/1849–50 CE; scabbard, dated A.H. 1271/1854–55 CE

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