Dagger with Zoomorphic Hilt

Unknown

second half 16th century · Hilt: copper; cast, chased, gilded, and inlaid with rubies. Blade: steel; forged · Islamic Art

Portraits of Sultan 'Ali 'Adil Shah of Bijapur (r. 1558–80) show him wearing daggers with zoomorphic hilts which combine Persian and Indian symbols of power. In this superlative, ruby-studded example, a dragon, whose tail wraps around the grip, attacks a lion, which in turn attacks a deer. Before the deer is a parrot-like bird with a snake in its beak, symbolism associated with the deity Garuda. Lower down on the hilt is the head of a yali, a mythical lion-like animal, with floral scrolls issuing from its mouth.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 16th century

Medium

Hilt: copper; cast, chased, gilded, and inlaid with rubies. Blade: steel; forged

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2011