mamluk khanjar ??

[Aqtai]

Isn't anyone going to comment on that picture of a possible Mamluk khanjar?

I would love to know if other people know a bit more about that picture, or about Mamluk daggers in general. Are there any in the Topkapi for instance?

[B.I]

Originally Posted by Aqtai

Isn't anyone going to comment on that picture of a possible Mamluk khanjar?

I would love to know if other people know a bit more about that picture, or about Mamluk daggers in general. Are there any in the Topkapi for instance?

hi aqtai,
these daggers, shown in your image, are of a 'common' type. i use the word common lightly, as they are rare, but do exist in enough numbers to research.
they are thought, in style, to originate in iran from the 15thC and replicated (or adapted) in style by the ottomans and later, indians.
they exist during the mamluk period, so you would think this could be a candidate for the weapon discussed.
however, these were all very ornate and many exist in european collections, having been given as court gifts, especially during the sulyman period. due to the high level of workmanship, i find it very hard to believe they were thrown, as mentioned by krill. i have a feeling he was hinting at a more 'useful' weapon.
i have many images of this blade type i can try and dig up.

[Aqtai]

Originally Posted by B.I

hi aqtai,
these daggers, shown in your image, are of a 'common' type. i use the word common lightly, as they are rare, but do exist in enough numbers to research.
they are thought, in style, to originate in iran from the 15thC and replicated (or adapted) in style by the ottomans and later, indians.
they exist during the mamluk period, so you would think this could be a candidate for the weapon discussed.
however, these were all very ornate and many exist in european collections, having been given as court gifts, especially during the sulyman period. due to the high level of workmanship, i find it very hard to believe they were thrown, as mentioned by krill. i have a feeling he was hinting at a more 'useful' weapon.
i have many images of this blade type i can try and dig up.

Oh well, that clears that up then.

Its funny but I don't actually recall ever seeing a Mamluk dagger, although I have seen lots of Mamluk swords, axes and maces in books. Mind you it's been years since I set foot in a museum (KIDS! ). I'll have to dig up those photos i took in the Topkapi years ago.

[B.I]

hi aqtai,
examples of your dagger.

[Aqtai]

Cheers B.I., thanks for that.

The great Mamluk khanjar mystery still remains unsolved though.

[RSWORD]

I was fortunate enough to see the lapis lazuli hilted example while on display in a museum in NC a year or two ago. It is part of the Khalili collection. While the selection of arms/armour was fairly minimal, there were some fantastic items including a shamshir blade supposedly from the 13th century, some horse armour, some georgeous guns and an amazing war mask. The dagger was simply georgeous in person.

[B.I]

hi rick,
i too have seen the dagger and the images dont do it justice. this exhibition you mentioned - was it all khalilis?
i know he has a great war mask but i am not aware of him owning a 13thC sabre blade.
the earliest known islamic curved swords were thought to be those in the topkapi.
however, there is a curved blade, thought to date around 1200 and of seljuk period that is in a private collection. i know the owner, and the previous owner and i wonder if it is the same sword. khalili doesnt or hasnt owned it so i wonder which blade you saw?
do you have any images or a description. the blade i am refering to has a chisselled hunting chase with spirralling arabeques along the blade.
i cant believe you would go to an exhibition without a camera