Dagger (Jambiya) with Sheath and Belt
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Steel, silver, wood, leather, iron
Dimensions
H. with sheath 20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm); H. without sheath 20 in. (50.8 cm); W. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); Wt. 12.5 oz. (354.4 g); Wt. of sheath 1 lb. 6.6 oz. (640.7 g)
Classification
Daggers
Culture
Arabian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.723a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Jambiya dagger, complete with its sheath and belt, hails from 19th-century Arabia, a region where such weapons transcended mere utility to embody cultural identity and social status. Crafted from steel for the sharp, curved blade—ideal for both combat and display—the piece features silver embellishments, wood elements in the hilt, leather wrapping on the sheath, and iron reinforcements. Measuring about 20 inches long with its sheath, it weighs a substantial 12.5 ounces for the dagger alone, underscoring its robust construction suited to a warrior's life. In Arabian culture, par...