South Indian Rock Crystal Khanjar Dagger

Price: $3,750.00 · Region: India · Type: Daggers

At a glance. South India, 17th century. Rock crystal, steel. Overall length 14"; blade 9". Deccani khanjar with pistol-grip rock-crystal hilt and thick armour-piercing wootz blade.

This fine example shows a South Indian form in the recurving, multi-fullered armour-piercing blade, with Vijayanagar-style fullering of the kind found on multi-fullered South Indian katars and related daggers. The pistol-shaped rock-crystal grip is in exceptional condition — no chips or losses, almost no inclusions beyond several tell-tale lines. The blade is thick and re-curved with a square-sectioned armour-piercing tip and a fine wootz pattern throughout. The scabbard fits perfectly but is likely 19th century.

Rock-crystal-hilted khanjars were prestige weapons in the Deccan Sultanates (Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmednagar) and related South Indian courts, where crystal handles were carved and polished to a glass-like finish.

References.

• Object measurements and culture/period fields as recorded in the Arms & Antiques catalogue entry (Period: 17th century; Culture: South India; Materials: rock crystal, steel; overall length 14 in.; blade 9 in.).
• Catalogue comparable to be added when a public museum or sale example with verified inventory/lot number is confirmed — do not invent citations.