Not currently on display at the V&A

Dagger

Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This Mughal dagger hilt probably dates from the second half of the 17th century. The blade to which it is now attached is typical of those usually found with a hilt of very different form, made in Iran as well as the Mughal empire in the 18th century and called a 'kard'. The nephrite jade would have enhanced the appearance of the dagger, but the weight of the hilt would also have helped to counter-balance the steel blade. Although nephrite is a hard and durable material, one major disadvantage is that it could be liable to damage from sharp impacts, possibly sufficient to render the dagger unusable without a replacement hilt.
The finely watered steel blade also combines aesthetic appeal with functionality. The attractive patterning displays the laminations that have been built up during the forging process and which bestow great toughness and strength on the finished blade.
The dagger was bought by the museum in 1874 from William Tayler, who described it as 'Old Indian'. Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia. He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867. He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
watered steel, nephrite jade, fashioned using a variety of techniques.
Brief description
Dagger, watered steel blade, nephrite jade hilt, carved
Physical description
Dagger with a single-edged, watered steel blade and a pale greyish green nephrite jade hilt that has flower and leaf decoration carved in low relief. At the blade end, the quillons are carved as small scrolls on the top and the bottom and, at the opposite end, there is a small protrusion on the pommel that has a small hole drilled laterally. The shape of the finely watered blade is typical of those used in the dagger type known as a kard, rather than those usually associated with jade hilts of this type.
Dimensions
  • 642 1874 length: 369.0mm (+/- 0.5) (Note: Overall length)
  • 642 1874 length: 250.0mm (+/- 0.5) (Note: Length of blade from tip to hilt)
  • 642 1874 width: 29.2mm (Note: Maximum width of the blade)
  • 642 1874 thickness: 7.1mm (Note: Maximum thickness of the blade (top edge, near the hilt))
  • 642 1874 length: 120.0mm (Note: Length of the hilt)
  • 642 1874 width: 49.4 & 54.0mm (Note: Widths of the widest points at the blade & drilled ends respectively)
  • 642 1874 thickness: 17.3 to 18.6mm (Note: Thickness range of hilt)
Object history
This dagger was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India (1829-1867). He subsequently sold it to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1874 for the sum of £7-0-0.

William Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia.
He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867.
He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India, in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".
Summary
This Mughal dagger hilt probably dates from the second half of the 17th century. The blade to which it is now attached is typical of those usually found with a hilt of very different form, made in Iran as well as the Mughal empire in the 18th century and called a 'kard'. The nephrite jade would have enhanced the appearance of the dagger, but the weight of the hilt would also have helped to counter-balance the steel blade. Although nephrite is a hard and durable material, one major disadvantage is that it could be liable to damage from sharp impacts, possibly sufficient to render the dagger unusable without a replacement hilt.
The finely watered steel blade also combines aesthetic appeal with functionality. The attractive patterning displays the laminations that have been built up during the forging process and which bestow great toughness and strength on the finished blade.
The dagger was bought by the museum in 1874 from William Tayler, who described it as 'Old Indian'. Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia. He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867. He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".
Collection
Accession number
642-1874

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest