Topkapı Dagger is a valuable jeweled weapon commissioned in the 18th century by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I to be presented as a diplomatic gift to Nadir Shah, ruler of Iran. However, the gift never reached its intended recipient and was instead incorporated into the Ottoman imperial collection. Crafted entirely of gold, the dagger features three large Colombian emeralds, numerous diamonds, intricate enamel work, and a built-in watch mechanism—details that testify to its exceptional craftsmanship. Today, the dagger is exhibited at the Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul and stands out as a symbolic example of Ottoman courtly art and diplomatic gift culture.
Topkapı Dagger (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
Historical Background
The Topkapı Dagger emerged within the diplomatic context of Ottoman-Iranian relations in the 18th century. Its production began in 1747, following a decision by Sultan Mahmud I to send lavish gifts to Nadir Shah as a gesture of goodwill. This initiative came in the wake of the 1743–1746 Ottoman–Afsharid War, which had concluded without a clear victor and resulted in the Treaty of Kerden (September 4, 1746). The peace agreement paved the way for renewed diplomatic engagement.
Seeking to reinforce this détente, Nadir Shah sent valuable gifts to the Ottoman court, including the legendary Peacock Throne, taken from Delhi. In return, Sultan Mahmud I commissioned several high-status items, among them the Topkapı Dagger, crafted by master jewelers of the imperial treasury workshops in Istanbul.
An Ottoman embassy, led by Ahmed Pasha, departed via Baghdad to deliver these gifts to Iran. However, as the delegation approached the Iranian border, they received news that Nadir Shah had been assassinated on June 20, 1747, at his headquarters in Fethabad by his own guards. In the ensuing political chaos, the Ottoman mission decided to return immediately with the gifts to prevent their loss. The dagger was safely brought back to Istanbul and placed in the imperial treasury. Meanwhile, the Iranian delegation, which had already entered Ottoman territory, sought asylum and handed over their diplomatic gifts—including the Peacock Throne—to the Ottoman court.
Thus, the Topkapı Dagger became a permanent part of the Ottoman imperial collection. Over time, it became one of the most iconic objects in the Topkapı Palace treasury. Its fame reached international audiences following the publication of the novel The Light of Day (1962) and the release of its film adaptation Topkapi in 1964.
Physical and Technical Features
The Topkapı Dagger measures approximately 35 centimeters in length and takes the form of a jambiya—a curved dagger commonly used in the Ottoman world. Both its hilt and sheath are made of gold and feature elaborate decorations, precious stones, and enamel detailing on both sides.
One side of the hilt contains three symmetrically arranged large Colombian emeralds. The central emerald is cushion-cut and rectangular, while the two flanking emeralds are pear-shaped, with their pointed ends facing inward. Tiny diamonds are set at the corners of the emeralds. The reverse side of the hilt features mother-of-pearl inlays and enamel decoration. The top of the hilt includes an octagonal emerald cover that lifts to reveal a small watch, believed to be of English origin—an element often interpreted as a subtle indicator of early modern global trade networks.
The Hilt Of The Lower End Of The Topkapı Dagger (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
The sheath is adorned with vegetal motifs engraved into the gold surface. At its center is a vase containing a composition of flowers and fruits—a motif associated in Ottoman visual culture with paradise, tranquility, and imperial authority.
Both ends of the sheath are set with a total of 52 diamonds arranged in symmetrical patterns. While most of the diamonds are rectangular, others vary in shape—oval, round, and pear-cut. A small Colombian emerald is mounted at the very tip of the sheath, contributing to the piece’s visual hierarchy. Additionally, a gold chain attached to the hilt bears a smaller emerald, adding further richness to the dagger’s ornamentation.
The Lower End Of The Topkapı Dagger (Photo: Nazlı Kemerkaya)
Viewed as a whole, the Topkapı Dagger is not merely an object of aesthetic value but also a manifestation of the Ottoman court’s technical artistry, symbolic language, and diplomatic intentions. Its materials, craftsmanship, and layered meanings distinguish it from other items in the Topkapı Palace treasury and underscore its singular status in Ottoman heritage.
