A fine example of the Jambiya daggers common to the Qajar period in Persia. The curved 9 inches blade is forged from very good wootz (Damascus) steel, richly decorated with gold koftgari inscriptions in Arabic letters and dated to 1304 (1886 in the Gregorian Calendar). The I shaped handle is carved from a single massive piece of elephant ivory. Wood scabbard covered with black leather and mounted with heavy brass chape. Total length 15 inches. Very good condition. Hairline age cracks on the handle ( common to ivory in this age). Tip of the brass chape is missing.