Dagger: ARM.184-1912

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Dagger
• Scabbard
• Indian weapons
• khanjar

Categories

• Weapons

Description

The blade is double curved and double edged, cut with four channels containing steel ‘pearls’, with narrow fullers at either side of these, wide fullers along the length of the blade and a central recessed panel with a raised lotus bud at the forte. There is hint of a reinforced point. The hilt is of pistol-grip type, of pale nephrite set with turquoises and rubies in gold wire in the form of floral sprays.
The scabbard is of wood covered with green velvet with a band of silver thread braid down the centre front, fitted with silver throat and chape, chiselled with floral ornament with birds, enamelled in Lucknow style in green blue and some red. At the throat is a hinged loop in silver gilt.

Legal notes

C.B. Marlay Bequest

Place(s) associated

• Lucknow ⪼ North India ⪼ India

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1912) by Marlay, Charles Brinsley

Dating

19th Century, Late#
1850 CE - 1899 CE

Note

This very elegant and beautiful dagger has a pierced blade and pale nephrite hilt inlaid with turquoises and rubies and gold wire. The enamel decoration in green, blue and red, of the scabbard is in the style of Lucknow (in north India). It was obviously made for a very wealthy man to show off his status and authority.