Dagger hilt, flower and leaf decoration carved in low relief, carved and pierced terminal in the form of two flower buds with leaves and set with red glass cabochons, pale celadon nephrite jade, Mughal, 18th century.

A dagger hilt fashioned in pale celadon green nephrite jade with scrolled quillons, flower and leaf decoration carved in low relief and a carved and pierced terminal in the form of two flower buds with leaves, with each bud being set with a red glass cabochon. At the quillons, there is a slot and a drill hole down the end for accommodating the blade. Mughal, 18th century.

Bequeathed by Mr and Mrs Ernest Schwaiger

This dagger hilt was bequeathed by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schwaiger.

Ernest Schwaiger was the son of Imre Leonard Schwaiger, the well-known dealer in gems and eastern works of art. Through his father's business association and personal friendship with the jeweller Jacques Cartier, Ernest worked for the firm of Cartier in Paris, eventually becoming a director.
He married the stage actress and singer, Adele Helena Dixon in August 1928 and together they built up a significant collection of eastern works of art including Mughal Empire and Chinese jades and other hardstone objects as well as Japanese netsukes, with a number of objects probably coming from Ernest's father. They remained a devoted couple until his death in 1976. Upon Adele's death in 1992, their collection was bequeathed to the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The dagger hilt was made within the Mughal empire in the 18th century.

IS.22-1997