Dagger with jeweled hilt, Mughal period (1526–1858), ca. 1605–27
Northern India
Hilt: gold, rubies, colored glass; blade: crucible steel; scabbard: wood, velvet; gold inset with rubies and colored glass; with scabbard 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm), L. of grip 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm), without scabbard 13 15/16 in. (35.4 cm), L. of blade 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm), W. of grip 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm), L. of scabbard 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Purchase, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1984 (1984.332)
Northern India
Hilt: gold, rubies, colored glass; blade: crucible steel; scabbard: wood, velvet; gold inset with rubies and colored glass; with scabbard 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm), L. of grip 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm), without scabbard 13 15/16 in. (35.4 cm), L. of blade 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm), W. of grip 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm), L. of scabbard 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Purchase, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1984 (1984.332)
The hilt of the dagger is constructed of heavy sections of gold over an iron core and its scabbard mounts are of solid gold. All the intricately engraved surfaces are set with gems and colored glass finely cut with floral forms. The designs closely parallel those in Mughal painting of the early seventeenth century, suggesting the dagger dates from the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1605–27), whose deep love of nature, especially flowers, is well documented in his memoirs, the Tuzuk. The blade is forged of watered steel.
