Georgian dated Kindjal dagger

The ‘Kindjal’ or ‘Khandjali’ is a type of dubbel edged dagger which is mainly found in the Caucasus regions and Central Asia. The ‘Kindjal’ is, depending on origin, often decorated with precious metals such as ivory, silver or gold. The blades are usually made of high-quality steel with a variety of fullers, of whom some are made of a twist core steel pattern. While most blade are plain and polished, we also encounter examples with chiseled fortes.

This example:

From Georgia, known as the Caucasus region. A rather typical example with slender carved horn hilt and silver niello fittings. The hilt is riveted to the blade with two silver bolsters holding the horn slabs. The silver fittings are engraved with a traditional design alternating in silver and blue metal, a common technique used in the Caucasus regions. The blade is of traditional form, double edged and with a fine pair of fullers to make the blade light and well balanced. The blade was engraved in Arabic with an important religious phrase which is deciphered below. The scabbard is made of two wooden slabs, held together with fine black leather and thick silver mounts. The chape is made of filigree with a rounded finial.

‘The description reads: ‘’Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem’ and ‘La Fata illa Ali, la saif illa zulfiqar’’ which translates to: ‘In the name of God most and always merciful’’ and ‘’No hero but Ali, no sword but Zulfiqar’’ dated 1841.