-
1 of 253523 objects
Dagger and scabbard nineteenth century
Watered crucible steel, jade, gold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds | 41.5 x 5.0 x 2.4 cm (whole object) | RCIN 11309
-
A dagger or peshkabs with a single-edged pointed watered crucible steel blade overlaid with gold foliage near the hilt. This technique of crosshatching steel to embellish it with gold is called kuftkari. The jade hilt carved to form a parrot's head with indentations for gripping and a beak formed of gold and rubies. A small hook can be found at the tip of the beak, which previously held a chain of emeralds and pearls. The scabbard made of wood covered with gold sheet chased with floral decoration and set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds.
In the Indian subcontinent, daggers with carved jade hilts were increasingly worn and exchanged as gifts by noblemen and royalty from the seventeenth century, particularly within the Mughal empire and its neighbouring courts.
Provenance
Presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Pratap Singh, Maharaja of Orchha. The Prince met the Maharaja at a reception in Agra on 26 January 1876.
-
Medium and techniques
Watered crucible steel, jade, gold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds
Measurements
41.5 x 5.0 x 2.4 cm (whole object)
Alternative title(s)
Peshkabz and scabbard