Sheath of a Thuma

Title:

Sheath of a Thuma

Date:

1139-1161 AH/AD 1775-1809

Description:

The sheath is entirely decorated at its drop-shaped tip with spirals, rosettes, and rhombic appliqués. The upper part displays arabesque leaves and tendrils and the buckle as well as lower tip is decorated with rhombic and rosette-shaped appliqués. The back of the upper part is blank. Thuma daggers were produced only for the Zaydi Muslim elite. They were very precious, and kept in families for generations. On the back of the sheath is an Arabic stamp with the name of the ruler and a date: al-Mansur 115x. The stamp belongs to Imam al-Mansur al-Husayn, who lived from AH 1139 to 1161 (AD 1775-1809). An engraved inscription in Hebrew names the silversmith: H(arun) Kasil. It is possible that H(arun) Kasil was the same Kasil who lived also under al-Mahdi al-"Abbas, see Walters 57.2319.For the latest information about this object, daggers; sheaths (cases), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: [Stamp] In Arabic: al-Mansur 115x; [Engraved] In Hebrew: H(arun) (?) KasilReign: Al-Mansur al-Husayn (1139-1161 AH/AD 1775-1809)Style:

Type:

arms & armor

Type (Narrower):

Armaments

Type (Broader):

Object

Subject:

Culture: Zaydi Muslim

Provenance:

Mr. Derek Content and Mr. Benjamin Zucker [Zucker Family Trust] London and New York, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 2010, by gift.

Medium:

silver with remains of gilding

Extent:

Dimensions: L: 9 7/16 x W: 2 3/4 in. (24 x 7 cm)

Rights:

Public Domain

Identifier:

51.1449

Is part of:

ARM, SAY
Islamic Art

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