A MUGHAL OR DECCANI DAGGER

Details

A MUGHAL OR DECCANI DAGGER
INDIA, 17TH CENTURY

With double-edged recurved grooved blade, slight rusting, an elaborate gilt copper openwork panel above on each side with scrolling interlaced arabesques, palmettes and flowerheads, the oval fingerguard formed of two birds with half spread wings, their heards downturned towards the blade, linked to each other by openwork panels issuing from demonic masks and within beaded borders, the fantastic gilt-copper grip formed of the bodies of a lion and a dragon together with the tail feathers of a simurgh, scrolling foliage with inset rubies on each haunch, the lion's head rearing above clutching an elephant between its front paws, the curvaceous dragon and simurgh with spread wings battling together, associated cloth covered wooden sheath with gilt copper band with inset rosette on one side, high points rubbed
16¾in. (42.5cm.) long

Lot Essay

A hilt of almost identical form, less elaborate sculpturally but with surface gold and silver damascening is in a Danish Collection, published Islamic Arms and Armour from private Danish Collections, exhibition catalogue, Copenhagen, 1982, no.100, pp.142-3). The general outline of the hilt and the multiple grooving of the blade are typical of the chilanum daggers of the maharatha kingdoms.

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