Auctions Imperial 2017 May Arms & Armor
Lot 444:
Description
The hilt a single section of elephant, brilliantly carved and undercut, depicting an armed warrior on horseback hunting a rhinoceros among huge trees, behind which the massive casements of windows set in the stone walls of a castle are visible. The handwrought blade emulates the Yemeni form: broad at the forte, sharply curved, continuously tapering and double edged, with the addition of a distinctive bisected rectangular central rib. The velvet-covered wooden scabbard with applied galloon, mounted in silver, the locket finely filigreed with a Christian cross, the chape with engraved motifs showing Persian influence, the finial of Arab thum form. The symmetrical hilt of kindjal form and the elaborate and diverse decorative techniques found on the scabbard are consistent with Georgian work between 1800-1850. Second quarter of the 19th century. Minor chip to pommel, velvet worn. The theme depicted on the hilt, and the form of the dagger itself, are drawn from the Tales of Amiran Darejaniani, the 11th century Georgian epic. For a detailed discussion of this dagger, see: http://auctionsimperial.com/blog/
Overall length 30.7 cm. Condition II
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