THE BLADE IRAN OR INDIA, 17TH CENTURY; THE HILT 18TH/19TH CENTURY

The hilt of this dagger is inset with hardstones using a technique called kundan. This specifically Indian technique setting jewels and hardstones into gold can be moulded to fit almost any contour of any object. Purified gold is hammered into thin strips and refined until it becomes adhesive at room temperature. In this state with applied pressure the gold can actually form a molecular bond with the foil setting surrounding the hardstones or jewels. The inset stones can then be cut and burnished to shape. See Manual Keene and Salam Kaoukji, Treasury of the World: Jewelled Arts of India in the Age of the Mughals, London, 2001 for a further discussion on Indian stone settings.