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Dagger with Scabbard

1605–27
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Dagger with Scabbard
  • Date: 1605–27
  • Culture: Indian, Mughal
  • Medium: Steel, iron, gold, rubies, emeralds, glass, wood, textile
  • Dimensions: L. 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm); L. without scabbard 13 15/16 in. (35.4 cm); L. of grip 4 13/16 in. (12.2 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)
  • Classification: Daggers
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1984
  • Object Number: 1984.332
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Dagger with Sheath, Steel, nephrite, gold, rubies, emeralds, silver-gilt, leather, Hilt, Indian, Mughal; blade, Turkish or Indian
Dagger with Sheath
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Dagger (Katar) and Sheath, Steel, leather, gold, Indian, Mughal
Dagger (Katar) and Sheath
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17th century
Smallsword, Steel, gold, silver, hilt, possibly India; blade, possibly European
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hilt, possibly India; blade, possibly European
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Cuirass, Steel, iron, textile (velvet), Indian, Hyderabad
Cuirass
Indian, Hyderabad
dated A.H. 1192/ 1778–79 CE
Priming Flask, Ivory, steel, pigment, resin, Indian
Priming Flask
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second half of the 17th century

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