Dagger

Unknown

second half 17th century · Steel, iron, silver, copper alloy · Arms and Armor

Animal-head daggers came into fashion at the Mughal court in the second quarter of the seventeenth century. Horses were the most popular subject, followed by nilgai (a large antelope from India), lions, tigers, goats, and camels, usually carved from nephrite jade, serpentine, marble, or ivory. This dagger is exceptional in that its hilt is made entirely of iron. The lion’s mane retains traces of silver, and its deep-set eyes were formerly jeweled.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 17th century

Medium

Steel, iron, silver, copper alloy

Culture

Indian, Deccan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, The Sulzberger Foundation Inc. Gift, 1994