A Mughal carved marine ivory-hilted dagger with ram's head, 17th century

the walrus ivory hilt carved in the form of a ram's head with finely carved details, including horns and hair-locks, the double-edged steel blade with reinforced tip and double fullers with median ridge, Indian armoury mark with number punched on both sides at forte

Sotheby's, London, 12 April 1976, lot 48

In general good condition, the blade with patches of oxidisation, the marine ivory hilt with few surface cracks and one or two wold cracks filled in, some discoloration to base near cracks, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The expressively naturalist rendering of the anatomical features, the discrete finger grips on the handle and the simple and elegant scrolled quillons, all point to a date in the first half of the seventeenth century. Depictions of the ram are not uncommon in Mughal art and feature in both miniature paintings and decorative objects. A related ram's head hilt, carved in jade rather than ivory, from the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, is to be found in Los Angeles County Museum of Art (inv. no. M.76.2.12), see Verma, S.P. (ed.), Flora and Fauna in Mughal Art, Marg, vol.50 No.3, March 1999, p.32, fig.8).