Gift of Mrs J.A. Nicholson in memory of Miss Désirée Granville
ME OA 1996.1-17.1
Room 34: The Islamic world
Knife
Ottoman, mid-16th century AD
From Istanbul, modern Turkey
The jade handle inlaid with gold and set with gems
The jade handle of this small knife is decorated in the style of the goldmsiths of the Ottoman court in the mid-sixteenth century. The gems are set into mounts carved like flowers and linked by chased stems. The gold arabesques are set into the jade so that they are flush with the surface.
Similar work of this high quality has survived in some quantity in the Treasury of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, but is rarely seen elsewhere.
Shop Online
Palestian Embroidery, £10.99