Georgian Kindjal dagger by Afandi

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.

The hilt:
In typical form, slim and elegantly encrusted with niello silver fittings depicting foliage. The front shows two sectioned bolsters which are similar decorated in engraved niello with in the center, a niello decorated wedge shaped silver rivet cover. The back of the hilt shows a ferrule with a symmetric tendril. The horn hilt slabs are riveted to the blade with three copper nails and an overlay silver curved line decorated the flat blade tang.

The blade:
A large and straight thickly forged blade with double cutting edges tapering towards a fine diamond cross sectioned tip. The blade has three chiseled fullers on each side, which vary in length. Both sides feature an acid etched faux twist core pattern, a common feature from kindjal of the late 19th and early 20th century.

The scabbard:
Consisting of two wooden parts held together with black leather and thick silver fittings. The locket is slightly rounded and has a raised section to attached a cord or liner. The entire front of the locket is heavily decorated with fine chiseled scrollwork and foliage, decorated with contrasting niello. The back of the locket is decorated with a maker signature reading ”master Afandi” an unknown maker. The locket is decorated similarly and features a tip of silver wire, welded together and provided with a round finial with ‘pearl rim’ segments. The decoration of the blade points us towards Georgia, around the turn of the century between the 1800’s and 1900’s.