Beschreibung:

A fine Mughal gem-set jade-hilted dagger North India, 18th Centurythe double-edged steel blade with five chiselled spines and three palmette motifs overlaid with gold, the forte decorated in gold overlay with foliate interlace, the jade hilt of flaring form with raised band and foliate quillons, decorated in gold, ruby and diamond inlay with flowers, trefoil motifs and foliate tendrils 52 cm. longFootnotesThe Mughal preoccupation with flora and fauna was prevalent throughout the arts, extending to the decoration of weaponry, such as that featured on our dagger with its foliate tendrils and floral motifs. The shape of the hilt in the present lot is reminiscent of a 17th Century Indian dagger illustrated in Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour, Farnham, 2013, p. 25, cat. 64. A similar Mughal hilt set with diamonds, rubies and gold and comprising a comparably spaced programme of decoration is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 630-1875).