A MUGHAL JADE-HILTED DAGGER, KHANJAR, 18TH CENTURY

A MUGHAL JADE-HILTED DAGGER, KHANJAR, 18TH CENTURY

Northern India. Finely crafted, the curved, double-edged steel blade with a pronounced medial ridge fitted with a jade hilt comprising a curved pommel and short scrolling quillons. Each side is finely carved with blossoming flowers and scrolling leafy sprays. The superbly polished, translucent stone is of an attractive greenish-white tone with icy inclusions and a small russet patch on the quillons.

Provenance: A Swiss private collection. A European private collection, acquired from the above.

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, traces of use, minute nicks. The blade with light corrosion and minuscule nibbling along the edges.

Weight: 467.2 g
Dimensions: Length 34.5 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Mughal jade-hilted khanjar, 34.6 cm long, dated 18th-19th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 36.25.706. Compare a related Mughal jade-hilted dagger, dated 1526-1858, 40 cm long, in the National Palace Museum, object number 南購玉000009N000000000. Compare a closely related Mughal jade hilt, dated to the 18th century, 12.1 cm long, in the Art Institute of Chicago, reference number 1950.1003.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's London, 4 November 2010, lot 250
Price: GBP 12,500 or approx.

EUR 23,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Mughal jade-hilted dagger, North India, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the hilt's closely related form, manner of carving, and motifs. Note the closely related size (34 cm).

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