18th C. Indian Bichwa Dagger

Status: Sold · Region: India · Type: Daggers

A fine example of a South Indian bichwa, circa 1800, entirely of iron. The blade with thickened point and mounted with a soft padded velvet inset for the handle.

Rare to find with the original scabbard, mounted in leather and brass. The handle features two stylized kirtimukha faces, known in Sanskri as कीर्तिमुख . The word "kīrtimukha", also kīrttimukha, is a compouned phrase translating to "glorious face" and is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, very common in the iconography of Hindu temple architecture and Buddhist architecture in South Asia and Southeast Asia.