Dagger (Kard)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Daggers of this type, with straight, single-edged blades and guardless hilts, known as kards in Persian, were worn as everyday utility knives. This deluxe example has a blade of crucible (“watered”) steel encrusted with gold flowers in relief and inlaid flush in gold with the maker’s name 'Ali Muhammad and the date.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art