Dagger with a carved rock-crystal hilt, inlaid with gold, rubies, and emeralds
India; 1620-30
L: 29.8 cm
Inventory number 33/1979
Sumptuous weapons like this dagger, made of costly and finely worked materials, were not intended for use and should be considered ornaments. They were visible testimony to the owner’s importance and were often used as gifts from princes to faithful subjects.
In contrast to many other older cut-and-thrust weapons, this dagger still retains its original blade. The steel was intricately damascened and inlaid with gold.
The rock-crystal hilt ends in a camel’s head, complete with a gold harness and inlaid with rubies and emeralds. The heads of other animals, such as horses, tigers and rams, were also frequently found at the top of the Mughal period’s finely conceived dagger hilts.
Lent to the exhibition
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence
V&A South Kensington, London, England
November 9, 2024 – May 5, 2025
In contrast to many other older cut-and-thrust weapons, this dagger still retains its original blade. The steel was intricately damascened and inlaid with gold.
The rock-crystal hilt ends in a camel’s head, complete with a gold harness and inlaid with rubies and emeralds. The heads of other animals, such as horses, tigers and rams, were also frequently found at the top of the Mughal period’s finely conceived dagger hilts.
Lent to the exhibition
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence
V&A South Kensington, London, England
November 9, 2024 – May 5, 2025
Published in
Published in
Robert Skelton (ed.): The Indian heritage: court life and arts under Mughal rule, Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1982, cat.no. 407, p. 128;
Kjeld von Folsach: Islamic art. The David Collection, Copenhagen 1990, cat.no.369;
Kjeld von Folsach, Torben Lundbæk and Peder Mortensen (eds.): Sultan, Shah and Great Mughal: the history and culture of the Islamic world, The National Museum, Copenhagen 1996, cat.no. 339;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 572;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Fighting, Hunting, Impressing. Arms and Armour from the Islamic World 1500-1850, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2021, cat.no. 95;
Kjeld von Folsach: Islamic art. The David Collection, Copenhagen 1990, cat.no.369;
Kjeld von Folsach, Torben Lundbæk and Peder Mortensen (eds.): Sultan, Shah and Great Mughal: the history and culture of the Islamic world, The National Museum, Copenhagen 1996, cat.no. 339;
Kjeld von Folsach: Art from the World of Islam in The David Collection, Copenhagen 2001, cat.no. 572;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Fighting, Hunting, Impressing. Arms and Armour from the Islamic World 1500-1850, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2021, cat.no. 95;
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