Knife Blade

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The finely damascened gold ornament on this diminutive blade identifies it as belonging to a small and only recently recognized group of similarly decorated knives. Based on the style of decoration, they have been attributed to the Ghaznavid or Seljuq dynasties, which once ruled parts of present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and northern India.

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