Steel knife with a handle of carved elephant ivory
Turkey; 2nd half of 16th century
L: 17,5 cm
Inventory number 9/2005
The Ottoman court in Istanbul provided the framework for a varied artistic output and numerous workshops. Works of art made there set a standard that others outside the palace complex tried to copy.
This knife has a minutely carved handle with floral and palmette ornamentation that includes the large saz leaves that are also found on Iznik ware from the 16th century. The blade is stamped with a workshop mark in gold and small ornaments.
The knife’s specific function is unknown, but the high quality of the carving indicates that it must have been made at the court in Istanbul or by craftsmen with close ties to it.
This knife has a minutely carved handle with floral and palmette ornamentation that includes the large saz leaves that are also found on Iznik ware from the 16th century. The blade is stamped with a workshop mark in gold and small ornaments.
The knife’s specific function is unknown, but the high quality of the carving indicates that it must have been made at the court in Istanbul or by craftsmen with close ties to it.
Published in
Published in
Christie's, London, 26/4-2005, lot 152;
Kjeld von Folsach: Flora islamica: plantemotiver i islamisk kunst, Davids Samling, København 2013, cat.no. 49;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Fighting, Hunting, Impressing. Arms and Armour from the Islamic World 1500-1850, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2021, cat.no. 35 and Appendix, p. 276;
Kjeld von Folsach: Flora islamica: plantemotiver i islamisk kunst, Davids Samling, København 2013, cat.no. 49;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Fighting, Hunting, Impressing. Arms and Armour from the Islamic World 1500-1850, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2021, cat.no. 35 and Appendix, p. 276;
