The Omani khanjar is more than a weapon – it is a symbol of status, craftsmanship, and cultural identity, known since the Bronze Age. Its modern form took shape in the 17th century and has remained an integral part of the Sultanate’s heritage ever since. In workshops across Oman, master silversmiths craft each dagger by hand, passing down their skills from generation to generation. Every pattern, every detail on the hilt and scabbard, reflects the distinctive style of its maker. Antique daggers are carefully restored, preserving their original beauty and historical value. One such khanjar made a remarkable journey from the National Museum in Muscat to the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg – a symbol of cultural dialogue between Oman and Russia. Once belonging to the Sultan of Zanzibar, the dagger now holds a place of honor in the Hermitage’s Oman Hall, linking past and present, East and West.
