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Dagger and Sheath

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Dagger
  • Sheath
Materials and techniques
Steel, rock crystal, gilt metal, velvet and wood. Fashioned using a wide variety of techniques.
Brief description
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
Physical description
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.
Dimensions
  • Im.327 1920 length: 366.5mm (+/- 1) (Note: Overall length of the dagger)
  • Im.327 1920 width: 37.0mm (Note: Maximum width of the blade, adjacent to the hilt)
  • Im.327 1920 length: 117.5mm (Note: Length of the hilt)
  • Im.327 1920 thickness: 26.3mm (Note: Thickness across the pommel)
  • Im.327 a 1920 length: 291mm (+/- 1) (Note: Overall length of the sheath)
  • Im.327 a 1920 length: 70.8mm (Note: Length of the gilt metal throat)
  • Im.327 a 1920 width: 41.6mm (Note: Maximum width of the gilt metal throat)
  • Im.327 a 1920 length: 107.2mm (Note: Maximum length of the gilt metal chape)
  • Im.327 a 1920 width: 21.0mm (Note: Maximum width of the gilt metal chape)
Style
Credit line
Purchased from Captain Rupert Simson on behalf of the Public Trustee, the sole executor and trustee of his father's estate
Object history
Bought from Captain Rupert Simson (on behalf of the Public Trustee), 32 Brompton Square, SW3. RP 1920/7630
Historical context
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]
Summary
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.
Bibliographic reference
The art of India and Pakistan, a commemorative catalogue of the exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1947-8. Edited by Sir Leigh Ashton. London: Faber and Faber, [1950] p. 230, cat. no. 1196
Collection
Accession number
IM.327&A-1920

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Record createdDecember 4, 2008
Record URL
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