Dagger: O.146-1879

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Dagger
• Indian weapons
• chilanum

Categories

• Weapons

Description

Hilt and blade are made in one piece of steel. The blade is double edged and double curved, with a chevron of four fullers down most of its length and slightly reinforced point. At the forte the blade widens into bud-like wings with piercings at either side, and there is a crudely inscribed lotus bud. The hilt is waisted, with a central squashed globular knop with double mouldings at either side, and has symmetrical curved winged guard and pommel, The flange between the wings of the pommel is extended into a finial with a D-shaped knop with two more round finials above. Most of the hilt is painted black, the blade polished bright with pitting from its earlier corrosion. Traces of silver decoration are visible on the forte of the blade. The upper part of the pommel is damaged

Notes

History note: From Ganjam. Probably from Tanjore arsenal

Legal notes

Given by Robert Taylor, MA

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA

Dating

16th Century, Late
Circa 1560 CE - 1600 CE

Note

Compare Metropolitan Museum of Art New York no 36.25.751 from the Stone, Oldman and Walhouse collections, the lavishly decorated 36.25.6AB in the same collection and one from a private collection (Elgood 2004: 178–80, figs 16.32, 16.36 and 16.38. Also compare O.151-1879 from this group, of the same form.