Dagger hilt, unfinished, sub-translucent brown agate, Agra India, 19th century

A shaped and polished cylinder with an oval cross-section, narrowing towards one end and with the ends of the oval cut flat. Sub-translucent, light brown agate with indistinct banding.

This hilt was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India (1829-1867). He subsequently sold it to the South Kensington Museum in 1874 for the sum of 10 shillings.

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".

Agate produces an effective hilt for bladed weapons as it is fairly dense and durable and it can be worked and contoured to fit the owner's grip. This hilt was fashioned from locally available agate.

679-1874