Dagger [khanjar], double-edged, gently-curved steel blade, rock crystal hilt, carved flower decoration, hilt damaged with two detached fragments in a bag,; sheath, brownish beige velvet on wood, pierced gilt metal mounts, pointillé decoration, Mughal empire, 18th century

A dagger and sheath. The dagger has a double-edged, gently-curved steel blade that has been set into a hilt with a pistol grip. The hilt has been fashioned in clear, colourless rock crystal with scroll-shaped quillons - one of which has been broken off (the two fragments are present in a separate bag, as of 03/03/2016, previously unassociated). The hilt has been decorated with multi-petalled flowers, leaves and fronds carved in low relief on and around the pommel and the quillons, with the middle part being left unadorned. It has a good overall polish.
The sheath is gently-curved and is covered in a worn, brownish beige velvet over a wooden carcass. The sheath has a pierced, gilt metal throat and chape both of which have been covered with pointillé decoration of flowers and leaves. There is a flattened finial at the very tip of the chape and there is a break to the underlying carcass which allows the chape to move sideways.

Purchased from Captain Rupert Simson on behalf of the Public Trustee, the sole executor and trustee of his father's estate

This object is part of a collection of Indian rock crystal objects that was offered for sale to the museum in 1920 by Captain Rupert Simson, who was following his late father's wishes. The whole collection of Indian rock crystals was bought for the sum of £550-0-0.

Purchased from Captain Rupert Simson on behalf of the Public Trustee, the sole executor and trustee of his father's estate. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1920-7630 and R.P.1920-7006

Extract from Capt. Simson's first letter 12/10/20:
"According to my father's wishes, I have been given permission by the Public Trustee, who is the sole executor & trustee for my father's estate, to offer you his collection of Indian rock-crystals, now on loan in the Indian section of the V&A Museum, at the price of £550" [=IM.324-1920 to IM.332-1924]

This 18th century Mughal dagger, with its finely decorated hilt, would most probably have been made as much for appearance as for functionality. Although the colourless clarity of the rock crystal would have enhanced the appearance of the dagger, the weight of the hilt would also have helped to counter-balance the steel blade. A major disadvantage would have been that sharp impacts to the hilt could have resulted in severe damage to it, possible sufficient to render the dagger unusable without a replacement hilt.

IM.327&A-1920