Dagger, double-edged curved steel blade, central ridge, green bowenite hilt with pistol grip, possibly Afghanistan, 19th century

A dagger with a gently curved, double-edged steel blade with a central ridge. The blade is set into a hilt fashioned in light green bowenite, with a pistol grip, scroll-shaped quillons and a scroll pommel. The hilt is smooth with a basic polish and it is unadorned apart from a small, toothed roundel of mother of pearl in red lac has been set into the centre of each side of the pommel.

This dagger and sheath 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 £7-0-0.

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 dagger has a hilt fashioned in bowenite which has a similar appearance to jade, though is a less expensive material. It was probably made within the empire in the early 19th century.

640&A-1874