Thuma (Dagger) and Sheath

Title:

Thuma (Dagger) and Sheath

Date:

1267 AH/AD 1850-1851

Description:

Although their blades were often of inferior quality, Yemeni daggers had beautifully ornamented sheaths with elaborate silverwork, as seen here. These daggers, which symbolically highlighted male courage and strength, played an important role in certain dances by men. Daggers were positioned in belts made of colorful fabric. In addition to being silversmiths, Yemeni Jews excelled as producers of textiles and were known to weave the belts that held the daggers. The dagger is inscribed in Arabic nusfi 1267, meaning "half" and 1267 (the date); it is inscribed in Hebrew mahasit (half). The date may be associated with the reign of al Mutawakkil "Ali (AH 1267) or that of al-Mansur Ahmad (AH 1266–67).For the latest information about this object, daggers; sheaths (cases), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: [Stamp] In Arabic: nusfi 1267; [Engraved] In Hebrew: Sulayman Salih, mahasitReign: Al-Mutawakkil ‘Ali (?); Al-Mansur Ahmad (?)Style:

Type:

arms & armor

Type (Narrower):

Armaments

Type (Broader):

Object

Subject:

Culture:

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 gilding and wood

Extent:

Dimensions: Overall L: 22 1/16 x W: 16 1/8 in. (56 x 41 cm); L of blade: 11 x W of blade: 18 7/8 in. (28 x 48 cm)

Rights:

Public Domain

Identifier:

51.1451

Is part of:

ARM, SAY
Islamic Art

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