A Mughal carved jade-hilted dagger (khanjar) with watered-steel blade, India, 18th century
Auction Closed
March 31, 12:40 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the jade hilt of pistol-grip form carved with leafy iris stems on each side, cross-guard also with irises and two gilt flowerhead studs, the curved watered-steel blade double-edged with central ridge, carved and gilt foliate designs near chape
36cm.
A Mughal dagger with a jade hilt carved as an iris, now in the Harvard Art Museum, inv. no.1999.305, and attributed to circa 1650, shows the use of this favoured Mughal flower in another scale on a dagger. For further reading on Mughal flowers and notably their European inspirations, see a blog by J.P. Losty posted on the British Library, 14 March 2014: https://blogs.bl.uk/asian-and-african/2014/03/mughal-flower-studies-and-their-european-inspiration.html