Dagger and scabbard
Gold, steel, diamonds, wood | 55.1 cm (parts .a and .b together) | RCIN 62812
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A dagger with gold hilt and a lunette-shaped pommel with diamonds overall, some forming flowerheads; the curved watered steel pointed blade with a raised ridge. Wooden sheath encased in gold with diamonds set around and below the mouth forming a floral motif. The chape with finial set with diamonds.
Provenance
Sent to King George V by King Faisal I of Iraq via Sir Francis Humphrys, 14 June 1934. Humphrys was received by the King at Buckingham Palace, according to the Court Circular for that day.
According to an accompanying letter, transcribed in the North Corridor Inventory of Windsor Castle, 'This Dagger was worn by King Faisal's great grandfather, Sharif Awn of Mecca [Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Mu'in ibn 'Awn], and is reputed to be from 200 to 300 years old. It was regarded by King Faisal as his most valuable heirloom, and he chose it himself to offer to His Majesty as a personal souvenir, and asked Sir Francis Humphreys [sic], British Ambassador, to convey it to England. This was shortly before King Faisal's death, and his son, King Ghazi, carried out his father's wishes and sent the Dagger to the King...'
Humphrys had become High Commissioner to Iraq, which was at that time a British Mandate, in 1929. He remained there for six years, becoming the first British ambassador to the newly independent state in 1932. King Faisal I, the first King of the independent Kingdom of Iraq, undertook a State Visit to the United Kingdom in June 1933.
Displayed in the North Corridor at Windsor Castle (WC Nrth Corr 2523) and placed in the Grand Vestibule in Case Q in April 1936. -
Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Gold, steel, diamonds, wood
Measurements
55.1 cm (parts .a and .b together)
Category
Object type(s)
