Dagger with scabbard

The dagger has a beautifully water steel blade with a gold palmette. Its hilt is made of white jade, deeply carved and inlaid with gold and set with rubies and emeralds. The gems create trefoil blossoms with ruby petals and emerald cores.

The scabbard is covered with green velvet, now faded, and decorated with a gilt band that encircles the upper edge and runs vertically on the front. The chape and the locket are in white jade, embellished in the same manner as the hilt. The tip of the scabbard is damaged and several of the gold inlays and gems have been lost.

Historical period(s)
Mughal dynasty, 18th century
School
Mughal School
Medium
Steel; white jade inlaid with gold, rubies and emeralds, and velvet with gilt metal
Dimensions
W (overall): 36 cm (14 3/16 in)
Geography
India
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Stephen R. Turner
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1984.3a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Weapon and Armament
Type

Dagger

Keywords
India, Mughal dynasty (1526 - 1858)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

The dagger has a beautifully water steel blade with a gold palmette. Its hilt is made of white jade, deeply carved and inlaid with gold and set with rubies and emeralds. The gems create trefoil blossoms with ruby petals and emerald cores.

The scabbard is covered with green velvet, now faded, and decorated with a gilt band that encircles the upper edge and runs vertically on the front. The chape and the locket are in white jade, embellished in the same manner as the hilt. The tip of the scabbard is damaged and several of the gold inlays and gems have been lost.

Published References
  • Dr. Esin Atil, W. Thomas Chase, Paul Jett. Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, 1985. cat. 38, pp. 229-232.
Collection Area(s)
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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