Daggers have been essential instruments in ancient Eastern civilizations, not only as weapons but also as symbols of power and ceremonial objects. Their evolution reflects the cultural and technological complexities of societies such as Egypt, Persia, China, and Korea.
This article explores the main typologies of ancient oriental daggers, their archaeological contexts, and the museums where they are preserved.
Egyptian Daggers: Functionality and Symbolism
In Ancient Egypt, daggers were both combat tools and status symbols.
A notable example is the dagger of the 18th Dynasty (ca. 1539–1292 BC), made of copper alloy, wood, ivory, and leather.
This piece, housed in the Brooklyn Museum, reflects Egyptian metalworking skills and their importance in military and ceremonial life.
Another notable piece is the Gebel el-Arak knife, dated between 3500 and 3200 BC, with a flint blade and ivory handle carved with combat scenes.
It is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Daggers from Luristan: Art and Functionality in Ancient Iran
The Luristan region in northwestern Iran is known for its Iron Age (ca. 1200–600 BC) bronze and iron daggers.
These weapons, often richly decorated, served both in combat and in rituals.
An example is a hollow-handled bronze dagger with snake decoration, dated between 2500 and 2000 BC, which is in the British Museum.
Another dagger from Luristan, with a "split-ear" pommel, dates from the 10th–9th century BC and is also preserved in the British Museum.
Chinese daggers: jade and bronze at Sanxingdui and Jinsha
The Sanxingdui and Jinsha cultures in present-day Sichuan Province, China, produced ceremonial daggers of jade and bronze between 1300 and 800 BC. These pieces, like the "ge" daggers, feature triangular shapes and geometric decorations, and are believed to have been used in rituals.
Many of these daggers are on display at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Jinsha Site Museum.
Korean Daggers: The Bronze Culture of Liaoning
The Liaoning Bronze Culture, which developed in northeast China and the Korean Peninsula between the 10th and 3rd centuries BC, is known for its bronze daggers with distinctive shapes, such as those with detachable handles.
These daggers reflect nomadic influences and have been found at archaeological sites in South Korea, such as the Geum River Valley.
A prominent example is a bronze dagger with a detachable handle, dated to between 800 and 600 BC, which is housed in the National Museum of Korea.
Persian Daggers: The Acinaces and Its Influence
The acinaces is a short, double-edged dagger used by the Medes, Scythians, and Persians in the first millennium BC.
Measuring 40–60 cm in length, it was characterized by its lobed guard and divided pommel.
These daggers were status symbols and were worn on the right side of the belt.
An example of a cylindrical sword, with a gold handle and bronze blade, is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Silk Road Daggers: The Case of the Gyerim-ro
The discovery of the Gyerim-ro dagger and scabbard in a tomb from the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–935 AD) in South Korea provides evidence of trade connections between Central Asia and the Far East.
This dagger, of Persian origin and dating from the 5th century AD, is inlaid with glass and garnets and is housed in the Gyeongju National Museum.
Daggers as a testimony of the ancient East
The daggers of ancient Eastern civilizations are a testament to the cultural and technological diversity of antiquity.
From ceremonial Chinese jade daggers to functional Luristan bronze daggers, each piece reflects the beliefs, needs, and skills of its society.
Today, these daggers are preserved in world-renowned museums, allowing us to appreciate and study their historical legacy.
You can also visit our Medieval Shop and discover a wide variety of Daggers we have for you, among other products.
