Ottoman Jambiya Of Prestige With Coral Larms Trebizond, Ottoman Empire, XIXᵉ Century

Materials: damascus steel, silver, coral, turquoise, wood, gilded brass.
Dimensions: Overall length: 43 cm; dagger length: 37 cm; blade length: 23 cm.
Condition: Very good condition.

DESCRIPTION

This remarkable prestige Ottoman jambiya, attributed to Trebizond production, features the exceptional craftsmanship characteristic of luxury oriental weapons intended for an aristocratic or princely clientele.

The curved blade in damascus steel, with double cutting edge and median grooves, reveals a superb regular moiré texture. The heel is enriched with a gold damascened decoration of vegetal and calligraphic motifs, executed with great finesse.

The silver handle is entirely set on its main face with thirty-four tear-shaped striated coral cabochons, punctuated by twenty-four turquoise pearls. The reverse side, entirely worked in repoussé silver, features a floral and vegetal decoration punctuated by stylized ribbons.

The silver-covered wooden scabbard, richly decorated following the handle, features a spectacular rosette decoration of sixty striated coral teardrops and eighty-five turquoise pearls. The reverse side features the same embossed flower and foliage motif. The engraved gilded brass stinger, in the shape of a stylized heart, completes this ensemble of rare aesthetic coherence.

The level of preservation, the richness of the settings as well as the quality of the repoussé decoration place this jambiya among the most refined Ottoman productions of its type.

REFERENCE

Similar model reproduced on page 93, no. 214, in Robert Hales' Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour.

MARKET POSITIONING

By its condition, decorative richness and quality of workmanship, this jambiya falls into the category of prestige Ottoman arms sought after by collectors of high-level Islamic and Oriental arms. The international market particularly values complete examples retaining their original coral and turquoise settings.