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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
South Asia Gallery, Room 41

Punch Dagger

late 18th century to early 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Lucknow (made)

This very small Indian dagger was probably made for a child. It is made of watered steel overlaid with gold, and the scabbard is covered with red velvet. It was probably made in Lucknow in the late 18th or early 19th century, and was part of the collection bought by the South Kensington Museum from William Tayler, a servant of the East India Company from 1829 to 1859.


Object details

Category
Arms & Armour
Object type
Punch dagger
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Dagger
  • Punch Dagger
  • Katar
  • Dagger Sheath
Materials and techniques
Watered Steel
Gold
Brief description
Punch dagger and sheath, made for a child, watered and overlaid with gold the scabbard covered with red velvet. Lucknow, late 18th or early 19th century.
Dimensions
  • Length: 15cm
Gallery label
  • CHILD'S DAGGER AND SCABBARD: Watered and overlaid with gold the scabbard covered with red velvet. Lucknow, late 18th or early 19th century. From the collection of William Tayler, a servant of the East India Company from 1829 to 1859.(Nehru Gallery 2001)
  • Dagger kuthar; for a lady: triangular blade of watered steel, straight guards, transverse handle heavily damascened in gold, cross pieces flat horizontal bars, damascening includes crosses, circles & 4-petalled flower motif, velvet covering of sheath faded to pale pink/natural colour, enamelled silver tip; India. 427&A-1875(pre 1993)
Object history
From the collection of William Tayler, a servant of the East India Company from 1829 to 1859.
As originally arranged and displayed in Exhibition Road Indian Museum galleries until 1955, with some additions while in storage, case F.715
Production
Mughal
Summary
This very small Indian dagger was probably made for a child. It is made of watered steel overlaid with gold, and the scabbard is covered with red velvet. It was probably made in Lucknow in the late 18th or early 19th century, and was part of the collection bought by the South Kensington Museum from William Tayler, a servant of the East India Company from 1829 to 1859.
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
427&A-1875

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Record createdJune 26, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O157527/punch-dagger-unknown/
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