Exceptional 17th C. Indian Mughal Khanjar of Mutton Fat Jade inlaid with hardstones and exceptional wootz blade

It is our pleasure to be able to offer a premier example of Mughal Indian art. Of typical and well known form, this 17th C. Mughal dagger is of superb construction and fully complete with the original scabbard and matching jade scabbard chape and locket, which retains it's small jade clasp.

The handle and scabbard fittings are of fine pale green mutton fat jade and the overall dagger is quite large and pleasingly heavy at 17 in overall length. The handle isintarsia inlaid with a multitude of different hardstones, some of which can be identified as carnelian, lapis lazuli andnumerous others. The effect is stunning and produces an effect similar to the pietra dura work of Renaissance period Florence but is a direct descendant and contemporary to the work found in the Taj Mahal, placing the workmanship within the time period or later. The stones are set in wax in the handle and in gold on the scabbard, a difference likely due to earlier period restoration work, as the example has been in a collection untouched for decades.

The blade is also a work of art, double edged and of keensharpness, it is forged from an exceptional black Persian wootz with a highly vivid pattern visible throughout, and finely inlaid with gold koftgari of delicate design at the ricasso on either end. On one side of the blade is a painted old collection number.

Overall length is 17.

Rarely do Mughal khanjars of this qualitycome on the market is such complete condition.