Khanjar Dagger
- Dated: 1600 - 1650
- Culture: Southern India – Deccan – Mughal Period (1526-1858)
- Medium: steel, jade, gold, rubies, emeralds, black and white agate.
- Measurements: full Length ~ 34 cm, blade Length ~ 22cm.
This exceptional khanjar hilt with a handle in the shape of a horse’s head is sculpted in a single piece of green nephrite jade. The handle area corresponding to the horse’s neck shows, in a decorative frond theme, a delicate work of etching in deep bas-relief filled with gold in the kundan technique, and incrusted with emeralds and rubies.
Two black and white agates give shape to the eyes, and as a complement to the valuable look of the ensemble the bridle is completely incrusted with rubies. The blade in accordance with the ornamental quality of the hilt is made of wootz or watered steel. The use of noble materials and the zoomorphic shape of the hilt attest to it having been owned by a high dignitary.
Although the number of daggers of this type would know a rise in production numbers towards the end of the 17th century, these continued to have a defining function when it came to high positions in the court. There is a similar piece at the Victoria and Albert Museum collection.
Source & Copyright: Caravana Collection
