NORTH INDIA, 18TH CENTURY

The ‘pistol-grip’ hilt, sometimes called ‘bird-head’ or ‘parrot-head’, is one of the most iconic and enduring dagger hilt forms of India (Salam Kaoukji, Precious Indian Weapons and Other Princely Accoutrements, London, 2017, p.147). Emerging at the Mughal and Deccani courts of the 16th century, it remained popular until well into the 19th, and was often carved in precious jade or rock crystal and set with precious stones. Similar daggers were sold in these Rooms, 10 April 2014, lot 145, and 19 June 2019, lot 188.