horse's head; Arms, grey jade gems, inlaid carved, Mughal, perhaps late 17th century with later inlays of gold and precious stones

The hilt with horse's head pommel is of mottled grey nephrite jade, naturalistically worked to show the horse's mane and other details. The harness, eyes and floral decoration are of rubies in gold, with a single diamond on the horse's forehead and a single ruby between its ears. The single flower head at the base of the hilt on both sides is set with rubies and an emerald at the centre.

Bought from Mrs C.D. Holland with another dagger and a sword (IS.98 and 99-1955) for £100.

Mrs Holland was the executor of Mrs M. V. Roper Lumley-Holland. The dagger hilt had been on loan to the museum from about 1880 from Major-General Lumley Holland.
Nominal File for Major-General Lumley Holland has 8 items, all with Indian Museum numbers (3410-3415 IS). and 6 additional items '7. A Sword Handle of mottled Jade, formed as a Horse;s Head, with Trappings in Rubies, neck and crest inlaid Gold and Rubies
8 A Damascus Dagger White Jade Handle carved with foliage, and set with Rubies. Red velvet sheath mounted in chased silver
9 A Damascus Knife with sharpened edge, and broad back. Handle beautifully damascened in gold
10 A Damascus blade Scimitar, with Persian inscription in Gold Hilt, and mountings of red velvet. Scabbard richly inlaid with Gold.
11 A Damascus Blade Tulwar, with dark green jade hilt. Leather scabbard and silver mountings.
12 A Damascus Blade Tulwar, with Ivory handle, damascened steel mountings to figured leather scabbard
13, 14 2 marble models of tombs with glass shades and walnut and gilt stands

The dagger hilt with horse's head pommel was made within the Mughal empire, probably in the early 18th century. It is of mottled grey nephrite jade, naturalistically worked to show the horse's mane and other details. The harness, eyes and floral decoration are set with rubies in gold, with a single diamond on the horse's forehead and a single ruby between its ears. The flower head at the base of the hilt on both sides is set with rubies and an emerald at the centre. The dagger was owned by Major General Lumley-Holland in the late 19th century and was on loan to the museum from 1880 until the date of its acquisition in 1955.

IS.100-1955