Description:

: A GEM-SET JADE-HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR), INDIA, 18TH CENTURY
Mughal India, 18th century

Description:
A finely crafted dagger (khanjar) featuring a curved, double-edged watered steel blade with a central ridge, subtly tapering to a point. The blade exhibits a rich damascened wootz pattern and is inscribed with punched calligraphy near the forte.

The hilt is carved from pale greenish-white jade (nephrite), exquisitely inlaid with teardrop-shaped red gemstones—likely rubies or spinels—set in gold kundan mounts. Each gem is framed with delicate gold outlines forming stylized leaves or buds, arranged in vertical rows along the elegant recurved pommel. The flared guard is scalloped and gently molded to complement the handle's contour, forming a natural handgrip for ceremonial or aristocratic use.

This type of dagger would have served both as a status symbol and as part of the formal attire of high-ranking Mughal nobles or princely elites.

Dimensions: 39cm

Comparable examples:

  • A jade-hilted Mughal dagger set with rubies, 18th century, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 25 April 2012, Lot 112, for £45,650.

  • A similar dagger with gem-set jade hilt, North India, 18th century, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 29 April 2019, Lot 155, for £38,812.

  • A khanjar with white jade hilt and ruby inlay, Mughal, circa 1750, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 26 October 2017, Lot 132, for £52,500.

Note:
Gem-set jade hilts represent the height of Mughal luxury weaponry, combining aesthetic refinement with symbolic power. The curved blade echoes Persianate forms, while the precious materials and delicate kundan work reflect the imperial atelier’s mastery. Such daggers were often gifted among royalty or worn as part of formal court regalia, emphasizing both refinement and authority.

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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