Ottoman dagger, 16th c (grip and blade), guard 1774–89, steel, ivory, gold; silver-gilt, L. 12 1/4 in. (31.12 cm); blade L. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm), Met Museum, Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935. The ivory grip is carved in the manner of objects made for the Ottoman court, blade inscribed in Turkish and Persian (Ottoman court languages) &quot;I besought a drink of water from your trenchant dagger, what if but once you should let me drink, what would you lose? If I thirst, his dagger is not laid down&quot;.