A JADE-HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR)
A JADE-HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR)
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A JADE-HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR)

MUGHAL INDIA, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details
A JADE-HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR)
MUGHAL INDIA, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY
The recurved double-edged steel blade with an later inlaid calligraphic cartouche and inventory number at the forte, the pale jade hilt of pistol-grip form decorated in low relief, a flower carved at the base of the grip and a lotus flower each side of the pommel, with finger grooves
12 1/8in. (31cm.) long

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Behnaz Atighi Moghaddam
Behnaz Atighi Moghaddam Head of Sale

Lot Essay


In the eyes of the Mughals jade not only had an exotic appeal, imported as it generally was from East Turkestan, but it also allowed them to claim a connection with their Timurid forebears, who also collected it enthusiastically (Pedro Mourha Carlvaho, Gems and Jewels of Mughal India, Oxford, 2010, p.53). The hilt of this dagger differs from many examples because of the elongated form of the hilt. A fragmentary example of similar shape can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (634-1874). A further example, different in its decoration but similar in form, was sold by Sotheby's London, 3 October 2012, lot 223.

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