MUGHAL INDIA, CIRCA 1700

Mughal daggers were secured to the belt by means of a sash cord, which was wrapped repeatedly around the dagger and the belt. A small ornament was sometimes threaded onto the sash for additional decoration, as is illustrated in a miniature in the Minto Albul (published by Salam Kaoukji, Precious Indian Weapons and other Princely Accoutrements, London, 2017, p.453). Another example of a pale jade sash-cords are preserved in the al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (Salam Kaoukji, op cit., no.170, p.457). Unlike that example however, rather than drawing inspiration from small gem-set vessels, the present lot uses larger jade vessels. A similar poppy-like flower appears, for example, on the base of a jade bowl in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (M.76.2.2). It is no coincidence that similar flowers can be seen on the hilts of daggers of the type which this was intended to adorn, such as an example sold by Sotheby’s London, 31 March 2021, lot 91. Another floral sash-cord ornament in jade was sold as part of Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence, Christie’s New York, 19 June 2019, lot 112.