AN INDIAN DAGGER (CHILANUM)

PROBABLY DECCAN, 17TH CENTURY

Details

AN INDIAN DAGGER (CHILANUM)
PROBABLY DECCAN, 17TH CENTURY
Of cast iron, with robust slightly recurved double-edged blade reinforced towards the point and with a raised central snake design within the fuller on both sides, the forte cast and chased with foliage on both sides, the iron hilt comprising oval guard with bud-shaped quillons, baluster grip with pommel and knuckle-guard shaped as leaves with floral buds, covered with cast and chased floral decoration formed of bold floral sprays rising from leafy bands, occasional traces of silvering, surface slightly rubbed
14in. (35.3cm.) long

Lot Essay

Daggers of this form appear in the Bijapur manuscript Nujum al-'Alam which dates from circa 1570. A number of examples were captured at the siege of Adoni in 1689 and taken north by the Maharaja of Bikaner and which remain in his armoury. The form relates to the jade and enamelled daggers which date from the same period. The hilt retains traces of red pigment probably from being worshipped in dasara ceremonies.

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