Dagger sheath, velvet covered, worn, pierced silver mounts, bird's head tip with turquoise eyes, India, mid- to late 17th century

The scabbard has a carcass most probably made of wood which has been covered in a beige velvet that is very worn, and there is a band of plaited, silver covered thread down one edge, covering the join in the velvet. Both the throat and the chape have been fashioned in pierced silver latticework with the throat having a pierced swivel attachment. The chape has a recurved bird's head finial that has been set with two small turquoise cabochons as eyes.

This dagger sheath together with the dagger [object # 43-1874]were 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 £10-0-0.

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".

The sheath most probably has a wooden carcass and it has been covered with a beige velvet. It also has pierced openwork metal mounts. Together with the dagger, they would have been owned by a person of some means.

643A-1874